^% ,^^. 



.0 --' ^"^ ^.. 






0^ : 






,'-" -^i 



V'-r!^^^ .0 



" ' "-^j- v^' 



v,f > 






'^^^-- ^v 



^i 



■;^.^^ 



^0^ = 








^-•"'> 






>^ s*'^ 







v% 



v. </ 



•^^ '\ 



^^■^ 




%o°-.. 



' (I 



0^ 





'-^A v^ 




^Q^^ 






,.^^'^^' 








"^^ v^ 



^/■i^ 









i-"^ 



.S" 



,0 o 






.^^' 












. o 



R E U N I D 0, 



FUGITIVE PIECES 



BY 



MRS. ANNA TELLEZ 



r- 



/ 



NEW YORK: 

1862. 






Entered, according to Act of Congress, in tlie year 1862, by 

ANNA TELLEZ, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, for the 

Southern District of New York. 



Electrotyped by Smith & McDouoal, 84 Beekman Street, N. Y. 



TO THE PUBLIC. 



If my book has merit read it, if it 
has none lay it on the parlor shelf. 

A. T. 



CONTENTS. 

»4-e 

PAGE 

ReunidO— Canto 1 1 

Canto II 36 

Canto III 60 

Canto IV IT 

Canto V d1 

Inspiration 109 

Oh, God to Thee! 113 

A Panorama 115 

Ice Cream 124 

On, Give me back my Girlhood's Hours ! 134 

A Smile for Thee, a Tear for Me 135 

My Absent Muse 136 

"Welcome to Kossuth 138 

Fragment 139 

Flora's Feast 140 

Valentine to a Lady 142 

Yalentine to a Gentleman 143 

Our Yankee Nation 144 

Serenade 145 

To A Friend 146 

Fragment 14T 

The Drummer Boy of Santa Rosa 148 

Invocation 150 

Fragment 152 

Blennerhasset on revisiting his Island Home 153 

A Crown for Sale 155 

Fragment 159 



VI CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Chapter on Thanksgiving 160 

Eemembrance of the Past 168 

The Smile op those we love 110 

The Poet's Dreamland 1T2 

Visions 1''4: 

Smile and Tear 1^8 

The Poet's Home and Song 180 

The Star of the West 182 

The Yallet of Flowers 184 

Forsaken 187 

Peace be to thee, my Native Land 180 

To 191 

On the Death of 193 

To 195 

A Rhapsody 197 

The Deacon 199 

To MY Muse 201 

For a Gentleman's Album 202 

Dedication op an Album 203 

Regatta 204 

The Country 206 

For an Album 208 

Addib Leigh 209 

Adieu to Summer 211 

Willie 212 

Legend of the Shawangunk 214 

The Emigrant's Address 219 

Answer to a Matrimonial Advertisement 221 

Second Letter in the Correspondence 222 

For my Cousin's Album 225 

To MY Husband 227 

monongahela 229 

God bless our Homes and Native Land 233 



RETJNIDO. 



"When known the motives, judge the acts of man, 
Nor blindly censure what may seem amiss ; 

Thy praise withhold, until thou'st answered well. 
The heart was pure which prompted him to this. 



My own adopted land ! 
We strove to save thee, but the tyrant's hand 
Was binding our hard chains, and we were slaves : 
The voices of the dead, seemed from their graves 
To say : " Shake off thy fetters and be free, 
Eor Freedom's thine : God gave it unto thee." 

The feathered songsters, warbling notes of praise 
To Him, who gave them liberty and life. 
Made us contrast our weary, weary days 
With theirs, so full of gladness, and so rife 



5 REUNIDO. 

With all that's peaceful, happy, joyous, good — 
We almost wished, ourselves were warblers of the 

wood. 
True, there was never a more genial sun, 
Than that which o'er our Texan landscape shone. 
And there were never fairer wildwood flowers, 
Than those, which graced our peaceful, love-lit 

bowers. 
The waters, too, as in their ceaseless flow, 
Sang Freedom's songs, harmonious, soft and low, 
And we were happy, could we but forget. 
That we were born to Freedom, and had met 
A harder fate, than Freedom's sons should know, 
Were slaves, where Freedom's rivers proudly flow. 

Those waters of the West ! oh, were there e'er 
More noble streams, through valleys e'en more 

fair? 
Our Mississippi ! Proudly dost thou glide, 
Bringing thy waters from the mountain's side 



REUNIDO. 

To the fair clime of sunshine and of showers 



Where grow exotics, in kind Nature's bowers, 
But more, e'en more, our hearts did love thee, 
That Freedom's eagles proudly soared above thee. 

As beauteous were the Colorado's waves, 
But on her banks, we lived the life of slaves. 
Our summer sky was tranquil and as bright. 
Its clouds all fringed with azure and with light, 
The air was fragrant with the breath of flowers, 
The earth was joyous for the sun and showers, 
Such was our land, my home a little cot, 
Sequestered in a cool and shady grot. 
A creeping vine, around the open door, 
Cast its fringed shadows o'er the sanded floor. 
When in repose, I sought my hours to while. 
My light, the sunshine of my loved one's smile. 
My heaven was here, nor need I look above. 
For that sweet clime of rapture and of love. 



10 REUNIDO. 

My Myra's eyes were of the deepest blue, 
Her heart, the dwelling of affection true, 
Each brightening hope, each budding joy, each 

care 
Within my breast, did my loved Myra share ; 
And infancy's sweet face was there to smile, 
And with a childish glee, our hearts to while 
From cares and dangers of a frontier home, 
Where beasts and savages alike may roam. 
Sweet cherub, sporting in its careless glee, 
Knew nought of tyranny, but felt as free 
As if an eagle, hovering o'er it now. 
Bestirred the air that fanned its infant brow. 

Oft as I sat and twined each little tress. 
Again, again renewed its fond caress, 
And looked into its laughter-loving eye. 
To catch the glance, or e'en in kind reply, 
My heart was filled with hopes of other days. 
When Freedom's star should shed on us its rays. 



R E U N I D . 11 

The evening breezes o'er the waters blew, 
And lulled our senses to a sweet repose, 
And the calm starlight, and the evening dew 
Were shed on earth, e'en the tiny rose 
With moistened petals, breathing fragrance slept, 
Nor had one eje a watchful vigil kept. 
But other sounds beside the murmur deep. 
Of the pure waters, as they lulled our sleep, 
Were borne upon the evening air, and woke 
Our sense from slumber, on night's stillness broke. 
It was the clattering of the Indian's steed, 
As o'er our plains, with swift winged lightning 

speed, 
Plying before a sturdy Texan band, 
Whose word to them was, '* Vengeance at our 

hand !" 
One moment more, and armed for an attack, 
Away, away on the marauder's track, 
Breathing a prayer, more than a sweet adieu, 
For her, whose heart, so trusting and so true. 



12 REUNIDO. 

During the whole long night, our way we wound 
To chase the Indian to his hunting ground, 
But at the coming of the morning's ray. 
The Apacha forces turned and stood at bay, 
Guarding the prize they'd boldly torn away 
From home, and every holy filial tie, 
That makes us love to live or dread to die. 

The captors fiercely rode in circles round 
A fair and weeping maiden, firmly bound, 
x\nd seated on a fierce, untamed mustang. 
While yells and war-whoops, round the circle rang. 
Oh heavens, that beauteous, tender form to save, 
Methinks 'twould make the faintest hearted, brave. 

With many a shout, and cheer, and wild halloo, 
We headlong rushed upon the savage foe. 
With every charge, her captors fell around, 
Their blood was moistening the parching ground, 
And she had raised her eyes to thank kind Heaven 
For this deliv'rance, all so quickly given ! 



R E U N I D O . 13 

The chieftain brandished high his bloody knife, 
And from her heart it drank the stream of life. 
We raised our rifles, he the last was slain, 
And dying lay upon that Texan plain ! 
We loosed the thongs by which the maid was bound, 
And placed her bleeding form upon the ground. 
In vain we staunched the blood which flowed so fast; 
She breathed one deep drawn sigh, it was her last. 

Oh maiden purity ! Fate willed, 'twas thine, 
"With thy life's blood to hallow Freedom's shrine, 
But as we saw thee on thy lowly bier. 
And dropped, each one the soldier's sorrowing tear, 
"We wept for thee ; we saw not from afar, 
The beaming beauty of our Texan star. 

It was a solemn, sacred task to close 
Her eyes, as in that quiet, sweet repose, 
She lay upon her bier, and the sun shone 
His noonday rays upon us, and the moan 



14 REUNIDO. 

Of zephyrs on the prairies, came to tell, 
The passing spirit's calm and sad farewell. 

That long, sad day was numbered with the past; 
The shadows of the night were closing fast, 
But onward still — a sad, funereal train — 
We bore her form across the dreary plain, 
Until the Colorado met our sight. 
Like a calm sheet of pure and liquid light. 

Oh home, sweet home ! Thou beauteous, sacred 
spot. 
Which, when oblivion makes its deepening blot 
O'er all beside, remains all unforgot ; 
Like a green isle amid the ocean's waste. 
So calm and smiling, though the angry blast 
Have lashed the treach'rous waves to foam, 
Such, such thou art, my own, my own sweet home ! 
Such to my heart — ^but whence that livid light. 
Which bursts in solemn grandeur on the sight ! 



EEUNIDO. 15 

And hope, which but a moment since had shed 
Its light around, had from my bosom fled. 

What thought we of the dead, when life's fast 
flow, 
Perhaps was ebbing 'neath the assassins' blow ; 
When those that to the yearning heart so dear, 
Perhaps were dying, who would drop a tear? 
Who linger to bestow the mourner's sigh ? 
When those we loved, perhaps were doomed to die ! 

Hastening away, we left the dead alone. 
Upon the plain, uncared for save by one ; 
That one, with parent's yearning lingered nigh. 
And lonely watched, with parent's tearful eye. 

Oh, what a sight to meet me at return : 
I came in time to see my dwelling burn, 
And as I looked around, with searching eye, 
And called my Myra, but without reply, 



16 KEUNIDO. 

The truth flashed o'er me, and in accents wild, 
I called. My wife ! mj wife ! my child ! my child ! 

Around the cot, my search but seemed in vain. 
No wife nor child replied to me again. 
And as I gave me up in wild despair, 
To think of her I'd left with silent prayer, 
A still voice seemed to say : " Thou art alone." 
While from the tall grass, came a trembling moan, 
And guided by my dwelling's brilliant blaze, 
Oh, horrid sight, to meet a parent's gaze ! 

My boy was lying in a pool of gore. 
By which his robe was stained and purpled o'er. 
I pressed him in my arms, and called his name. 
And once more, by the dwelling's lurid flame, 
Saw him look up, as if he would reply — 
'Twas the last glance that e'er beamed from his eye. 

In vain, I listened for his coming breath, 
I pressed him e'en more closely, but in death ; 



REUNIDO. 17 

Then as I brushed the ringlets from his brow, 
I saw a wound, which had been hid till now. 

In that stern agony of tearless woe, 
I saw his death, yet felt but half the blow ; 
And as I clasped his hand within my own, 
I scarcely realized that life had flown : 
He lay so warm within my circling arms, 
I almost hoped, for hope itself hath charms. 

A hand was placed upon my sorrowing head, 
"Haste, haste away, from weeping o'er the dead ; 
With us pursue while yet there may be life ; 
Perhaps we yet may rescue her, thy wife." 

I looked around, those sturdy pioneers 
Stood sadly gazing on me, through their tears ; 
Haste, haste, said they, your Myra may be 

found ! 
Unclasped my hands and laid upon the ground 



18 RETJNIDO. 

My now dead boy, then handing me my blade, 
Placed logs and stones o'er the unburied dead, 
To shield him from the beasts and birds of prey, 
Which prowl by night and hover round by day. 

A new life seemed to thrill my every vein, 
As hastening in a wild pursuit again, 
One thought possessed my soul, oh, what a changOj 
My grief was all absorbed in fierce revenge ; 
And as I turned away I breathed a prayer, 
That God my own avenging hand would spare 
Would nerve my arm to deal the deadly blow. 
And rescue Myra from the savage foe. 

Again we hasten on, away ! away ! 
And at the dawn of the approaching day, 
We neared the band ; I saw my Myra tied 
Upon a mustang at the leader's side. 
Her mien was noble as she raised her hand. 
To beckon on our fast approaching band. 



KEUNIDO. 19 

There flashed a sword above her head on high, 
Nor quailed her form, but from her flashing eye, 
Her captor shrunk, her angry gaze beneath. 
The weapon's sheen was hid within its sheath. 

Her captor was a man who once had come. 
To seek repose and shelter in our home ; 
For him the woodman's frugal meal was spread, 
A downy pillow for his weary head : 
Ah, little thought I, when in gen'rous strain 
He spoke of thanks, and said like sunny Spain 
Our cottage smiled, and that the waters wide 
Brought to his mind the Ebro's flowing tide ; 
Ah, little thought I, we should ever learn 
Such depth of thanks, if he should e'er return. 

One look at that sweet captive, and I knew 
Her heart would cease to beat, ere prove untrue ; 
Her cheek, so wan from suffering and from grief, 
Glowed, while her eye flashed fury at the chief: 



20 REUNIDO. 

Said she, " Defenceless in my little cot, 
I saw thy coming but I feared thee not : 
Thou'st torn from me the mother's only joy, 
And murdered him, my sweet, my darling boy, 
I reck but little what you do with me, 
These fetters bind me but my spirit's free. 
And ere in chains I'll draw a captive's breath, 
I'll be released; to me thrice welcome death !" 
She waved our rangers onward to the strife, 
We closed in battle little heeding life. 

Of that mad fury I can but recall 
One fact ; I saw my Myra's captor fall. 
Ere I was wounded, and my reason lent 
No form to all the fantasies, which blent 
Together in my thoughts, and now again 
I chased the mustang o'er the Texan plain ; 
I seemed with spirit free and heart as light, 
As eagle's wing, when from his mountain 
height. 



REUNIDO. 21 

He soars abroad, in morning's radiant beam, 
While lightnings from the clouds beneath him 
gleam. 

Again I saw my home : 'tis strange we seem 
To live a life-time in a dream : 
And she, who once had blessed the pioneer. 
By shedding round his cottage all the cheer, 
Which makes its mem'ry to his bosom dear. 
Was seen as when in days of early life, 
Upon our nuptial morn, I called her wife ! 

Again, I saw my little child, to me 
He seemed as hastening to my arms, as free 
As when in summer days agone, he played 
Beside our cottage in the trees' cool shade. 

I saw the Colorado's peaceful tide, 
'Twas as I'd seen it in its grandeur glide, 
With feelings, as in childhood we would look 
Upon the waters of the babbling brook ; 



32 R E tr N I D o . 

Or as the lover, who would see and know 
His dear one's image in the stream below ; 
Or as the one whose steps have ceased to roam, 
Makes there his paradise, his own loved home. 

The spring was there, with verdure and with 
flowers. 
With genial sunshine, and refreshing showers ; 
The birds were caroling their tuneful lays. 
To bless our senses, in those happy days. 

The sun had set and night 
Of darkest horrors, reigned in place of light : 
The Colorado's waters now no more 
Went singing gaily, past our cottage door, 
The joyous scene seemed changed, no voice was. 

heard, 
Not e'en the warble of a singing bird, 
The flowers around our cot had ceased to bloom. 
We breathed malaria, nor inhaled perfume : 



REUNIDO. ZO 

I seemed as falling into an abyss, 
Whose darkness was more dismal e'en than this, 
Down, down into the lowest depths I fell, 
Nor had I power to break the horrid spell ; 
In vain, I tried to raise my voice, and shout, 
Sight, sound, thought, sense, from me were all 
shut out. 

I scarcely know, how long was that deep dream^ 
But when at last kind reason's dawning beam 
Was shed upon me, and the feeble light 
Of coming sense beamed on my spirit's night, 
A storm was raging round me, and on high 
The lightnings flashed across the angry sky; 
A chilling wind was blowing, and the rain 
Came pouring down, to cool my fevered brain. 
I half arose, my limbs were stiff and weak, 
No voice was left, though I essayed to speak : 
I seemed as waking from some dream of dread, 
My hand unbidden sought my aching head ; 



24 REUNIDO. 

I felt the hair all clotted; then I knew 

It was my life-blood, oozing, trickling through. 

In vain I tried to penetrate with sight, 

The sombre shadows of that gloomy night ; 

I groped in darkness o'er the cold, damp ground, 

No genial ray lit up the place around, 

Save when the lightning's blinding, stunning flash, 

Came, followed by the thunder's awful crash. 

How anxiously I looked and longed for day, 
The tempest tossed upon the ocean's wave 
Can well imagine, when the glorious ray 
Of morning's sun may beam upon his grave. 

At length the shadows from the scene had fled, 
And day disclosed whate'er of hope or dread 
Was hidden 'neath the mantle's sable hue, 
Which midnight o'er this scene of horror threw. 
A trusty ranger of our little band, 
Lay with his knife grasped tightly in his hand ; 



EEUNIDO. 25 

While near him stood his wounded, bleeding steed, 
Looking that love the master could not heed. 

The ground was trampled, and the midnight rain 
Had not quite washed awaj the purple stain, 
Which told the tale, in yester evening's strife, 
Had freely flowed the tide of ebbing life. 

I went to my companion's side and took 
His hand within my own, with plaintive look ; 
Half thankful, though the lamp of reason shone 
No more, as it was wont in days agone, 
He smiled upon me — how I grieved to see 
The. eye once bright now gaze on vacancy. 

'Tis sad to contemplate the evening's ray. 
Which closes in upon life's peaceful day ; 
'Tis sad to gaze upon the deep repose 
Of death, in childhood's sunny morning's close j 
But when man's last adieu to vig'rous life. 
Is taken on the crimson field of strife ; 



26 KEUNIDO. 

When no one but yourself is lingering nigh, 
To watch his breathing, catch his dying sigh, 
Your thoughts of grief, ineffably sublime, 
Go with the spirit to some happier clime, 
And further still with a prophetic sight, 
You hear a blessing on the cause of right. 
Thus hopeful, sad I watched, alas ! he died ! 

'Tis strange how valor wanes when life is 

left. 
Of every hope and every joy bereft ; 
But yesterday, with vengeance to inspire, 
I rushed to battle with the fierce desire, 
Which nerved my arm, and filled my brain with 

fire; 
Determined to blot out my honor's stain, 
Or never see the shades of night again ; 
With but the thought, my murdered child ! my 

wife ! 
Oh, welcome to my heart the reeking knife ! 



KEUNIDO. 27 

To-daj, with but the peaceful morning's light, 

And the free air, which I could call my own, 
With not a ray of hope to bless the sight, 

Parching with fever, wounded and alone : 
When all seemed lost which renders life most 

dear, 
I shrunk from dying, with a coward's fear : 
Shrunk, yes, I hid my trembling self away, 
When horsemen rode toward the lifeless clay 
Of my companion ; caring but for life. 

That life, which, yesterday, I would have given 
To save from infamy my cherished wife, 

Or dwell within her blessed smile in heaven. 

They took the garments from the lifeless corse. 
They seized the trappings from the bleeding horse, 
And meted out to each the robber's share. 
Making division with exactest care ; 
Then with a cruelty, to other lands 
Unknown, save where the tyrant's hands 



28 EEUNIDO. 

Have forged the chains which keep in thrall, and 

bind 
The deathless feelings of the free-born mind ; 
They drew deep gashes in the pulseless breast, 
And taunting, bade it grudge not the bequest, 
But freely give to each his 'lotted share. 
And be content to rest in quiet there, 

Sick'ning and faint, I turned me from the sight, 
And with my hands shut from my eyes the light ; 
But still their voices in the ribald jest, 
Came mocking my sad fate with tones unblest : 
It seemed a mercy to me when the sound 
Of horses, trampling on the moistened ground, 
Came to my ear. Oh, I shall ne'er forget 
The happiness of that one moment, yet. 
With sense of danger past, I felt how lone. 
How bitter was my lot ; my loved ones gone, 
My child unburied, dead; myMyra's breath 
Prolonged, alas ! to be a living death. 



REUNIDO. 29 

To know that she, whose dearest image bound 
My life ! my soul ! my heart's own tendrils round, 
That she was, as a captive, doomed to blend 

Her tears of sorrow with her captor's smile — 
If still she lived, life were prolonged to lend 

Some moments' pleasure, as a slave, to while 
Away the hours the master would beguile ; 
To know all this, and still be left to live, 
The little all of my existence give, 
To swell that life, which once was all so fair, 
The thought was madness, and the hope despair. 

A light beamed on me. Oh, 'twas purpose strong. 
To be revenged for each domestic wrong ! 
Revenged ! revenged ! a wild but brilliant light 
Seemed tinging every object in my sight ! 
While in my ears rang sounds both loud and strange, 
A voice seemed echoing revenge ! revenge ! 

I came out from my covert, now no more 

I looked with fear as I had done before ; 
3* 



30 REUNIDO. 

No longer dimly ached my fevered brain ; 
My limbs were nerved to newer strength again. 
I raised my poor companion's lifeless form, 
And carried to the leafy covert shade. 
Whence I had seen him robbed, from life still 

warm, 
Of clothing, and had seen the coward blade 
Draw deepest gashes in that manly breast. 
I placed him there for temporary rest. 
And drew the grass all round him : with my hands 
I pulled up sods and dug down in the sands, 
To cover o'er his body, thus to save 
His form untouched in this unburied grave. 

My task completed, I essayed again 
To make my way across the grassy plain, 
Unarmed, alone, but with renewing strength — 
Unfixed in purpose, but in hopes at length 
To meet with those of kindred feeling strong, 
"Who would with me redress each mutual wrong. 



EEUNIDO. 31 

I made my way toward the blackened heap, 
Where once my cottage home had peaceful stood — 

Where lay my child in death's untimely sleep ; 
So lately where the innocent and good 
Had rested, when I left them with a prayer, 
Commending them to heaven's protecting care. 

My poor, poor boy ! I raised him once again 
And pressed him to my bosom ; oh, the pain, 
The anguish in my breast of that sad hour ! 
If in your sky temptation's clouds ne'er lower, 
Nor dark misfortunes rise, you '11 never know 
The childless parent's deep, unfathomed woe ! 

My poor, poor boy ! his little grave I made 
Beneath the tree where he so oft had played, 
And o'er the sod I laid me down and wept — 
Exhausted nature sought repose ; I slept. 

The morning dawned, and I awoke once more 
To sorrow and to suffering, as before — 



32 REUNIDO. 

My head was aching, and with fevered thirst, 
It seemed as though my parching tongue would 

burst. 
I sought the river's grassy edge, to lave 
My burning temples in its flowing wave — 
To wash the blood from my poor head, and drink 
A cooling draught from out its verdant brink. 

A voice was speaking near me, 't was my 
name, 
And turning to the spot from whence it came, 
I saw the parent that two days before. 

We 'd left to guard, upon the prairies wild, 
His slumbering girl, but ah ! from me no more 

Had been a thought for father or for child. 
He stooped down to the water's edge, and drank 
To quench his thirst, and then, exhausted, sank 
Beside me on the river's grassy bank. 

How changed the man ! 
His eyes were glaring and his cheeks were wan. 



K E U N I D O . 33 

We gazed at each in silence, while surprise 
Was mutual, beaming from our haggard eyes. 
We clasped each other's hands, no word was 

spoken — 
Save by our sighs, the silence was unbroken. 
Both childless now, how sadly both bereaved ! 
For mutual wrongs we both in silence grieved. 
Long did we sit in sad communion there, 
Upon the sorrows of which each had share — 
Homeless and friendless I, as sad his lot, 
For friendless he, his home almost forgot. 

> At length we rose — I led the saddened way 
To where my infant boy in silence lay. 
I pointed to the little new-made grave ; — 
He knelt beside the mound in silence, save 
The sighs which intermingled with his prayer. 
I could not in devotion take my share, 
For grief had dried the fountain of my heart — 
To see him kneel, it made me shrink and start. 



34: REUNIDO. 

I felt the world to be a dreary waste, 
So utterly had sorrow's clouds o'ercast 
The sky, which three days since in radiance 

beamed 
On my now saddened heart ; to me it seemed 
That every genial ray of blessed light, 
Fore'er had set in darkness' dismal night. 

"Within my breast, there rankled now a feeling, 
Which like a canker-worm, was gnawing there ; 
'T was sorrow's bitter curse — from me 'twas 

stealing 
All good and noble thoughts — the spectral stare 
Of hatred in their stead, seemed all was left 
To cheer my soul, of every joy bereft. 

He ceased the solemn prayer ; once more away 
To where his sleeping girl unburied lay. 
Her silent form within the grave we laid ; 
He knelt upon the mound — again he prayed. 



REUNIDO. 35 

With folded arms and misanthropic stare 

I gazed on him, nor did I even dare 

To look on high for Heaven's protecting care. 

One more to bury, and our task was done ; 
And not until the day's declining sun 
"Was shining on us, that we placed at rest, 
Within the grave, that noble, manly breast. 

Now, as the shades of evening closed, we told 
Our tales of woe, tried each to each unfold 
The sorrows of his heart, and to relate 
Our children's deaths — my Myra's wretched fate — 
Then, with a kindred feeling in each breast, 
United in this vow. We ne'er will rest. 
Until revenge on the marauding bands 
Which waste our homes, and overrun our lands, 
Has granted its sweet balm. Our pledge is given, 
Record our mutual vow, oh righteous Heaven ! 



CANTO II. 

Our country bled for wrongs at every vein : 
The tyrant's bonds had left a crimson stain, 
Where dropped our life-blood on each Texan 

plain ; 
And as we viewed the scene, what could be worse ? 
Round many a hearthstone was the blighting curse 
Of vacancy — a parent, child or wife, 
Some dearer one than e'en our very life, 
Perchance, no longer shed the welcome smile, 
To greet our coming and our hours beguile. 

We heard the call to arms, and to obey 
Was but the impulse of true men, who sped 

To meet the foe, and wipe their wrongs away 
With blood, in vengeance, our own sword migh 
shed. 



REUNIDO. 3Y 

With blades unsheathed, arrived at Gonzales, 
Her soldiers, flushed with victory, met our gaze ; 
Oh, such rejoicing o'er that battle won, 
The tide of revolution had begun — 
And Heaven had crowned them with a first 

success. 
Who lives upon Atlantic's western shore. 
That freedom's purest air has ceased to bless, 
Will not rejoice to breathe that air once more ? 
Who, that will not exult again to see 
Himself, his home, the land he loves, all free ? 
Oh, no one worthy of the noble cause 
Of martyr-hallowed freedom, e'er would pause 
In exultation o'er the primal blow. 
Which deals out vengeance on the tyrant foe. 

Men, women, children rushed along the street ; 
In every eye was beaming a new fire ; 

The shouts of victory our ears would greet ; 
Each heart was beating with awaked desire. 



38 REUNIDO. 

Oh ! 't was the new, new light of liberty, 
That living principle in every breast — 

That feeling, planted in each bosom free, 
Which may be trampled down, but ne'er can rest: 
As living as the latent fire which burns 
In Etna's centre, smoulders but returns — 
Bursts forth again with blaze renewed and 

bright — 
Such, such to man is liberty's fair light ! 
The flame may be extinguished, but the spark 
Will never cease to burn ; e'en though the dark 
And dreaded rule of tyranny may try 
To crush it out, the ember will not die. 
The heart of man once born to freedom, heirs 
Its spirit as his birthright, and though chains 
May fetter down his limbs, his soul ne'er shares 
The body's thrall — the free-born mind remains ! 

That liberty — no more a smouldering fire, 
A feeble spark or undefined desire — 



REITNIDO. 39 

Lived in each heart, and beamed in every eye, 
It was our watchword and our rallying cry. 
But is man free when deep oppression reigns 
Within the land, when tyranny remains 
In every stronghold, to forge out his chains ? 
Oh, no ! ours was the freedom which will live 
When chains would bind, which empires can not 

give- 
Such freedom of the heart and soul as dwells 
Unfettered in the dungeon's lowliest cells. 

Our work was but begun — a single blow 
Was struck for Texan rights — a tyrant foe 
Was still in San Antonio, to o'erawe 
Our httle band, and blot out Texan law. 

We marched against them — at Espada found 
A place to camp our soldiers, while around, 
To choose position on some vantage ground. 
They sent us out with Fannin and Bowie — 
The watchword given was, '' Texas shall be free I" 



40 REUNIDO. 

The evening shadows closing round, we chose 
Upon the river's bank to seek repose. 
The morning dawned ,• a Mexican advance 
Rode on our lines; 't was by the merest 

chance ; 
Our sentry fired, and '^ Texas shall be free !" 
Rung on the air, more musical to me 
Than e'en the warble of the morning bird. 
It seemed a gala, welcoming in the day 
Whose dawn was liberty ; my spirit heard, 
Unlike the woodland songster's mellow lay, 
A tone of vengeance : — " Texas shall be free !" 
Was shouted from our ranks with voices clear. 
Those talismanic sounds rang loud and shrill. 
Inspiriting our hearts to nobler aims 
Than bravery, from the breasts of slaves, e'er 

claims ; 
In memory's wanderings often do I hear 
Those words of promise echoing round me still ! 
And when was raised the cry of " Victory !" 



REUNIDO. 41 

They left to us their cannon and their slain, 
Those prophet tones all loudly rang again. 

A flag of truce came, asking leave to pay 
The last sad duties to the lifeless clay, 
Which strewn upon the field of battle lay. 

If e'er 
The passing spirit needs an angel's care, 
To guide it past the regions of despair, 
Those ruthless soldiers found their sins for- 
given, 
To dwell among the blessed of earth in heaven ; 
For devotees of Faith and Christian love, 
As ministering angels round the slain, 
Or pointing hopefully to realms above. 
To soothe the dying, or to still the pain 
Of wounded limbs, or breathe the hope again, 
That life or health might be their blessing still. 
Or whisper trustful, " Father, 't is Thy will," 



43 REFNIDO. ^ 

Were there, with prayers or smiles or tears, to 

shed 
Around the living or above the dead, 
The light of life or hope or peace or love. 
Or guide their spirits to those realms above, 
Where, with a blessed faith and trust, they knew 
There was a dwelling for the good and true. 

Our patriot army came in time to see 
The battle-field, all fresh from victory — 
In time to join us in the loud acclaim, 
With which we hailed our new-born freedom's 

name — 
In time, with grateful voices, to unite 
In thanks to Heaven for its protecting might. 

Our very bosoms burned again to meet 
The foe ; to call him out from his retreat, 
Or, such the feeling of each heart, to dare 
The uncaged lion in his guarded lair. 



REIJNIDO. 43 

The walls of San Antonio stern arose, 
Fit place for Tyranny to seek repose ; 
And Tyranny within those walls had fled, 
Soon as the cause of Freedom and of Right 
Had drawn their sword, and wide their banner 

spread, 
And their lone star had beamed upon the sight. 

We sought the stronghold, 'i was a little town 
Guarded by walls which seemed to wear a frown 
Upon them, and whose darkling strength remained 
To tell of minds in Reason's night enchained ; 
And now, protection to our 'leaguered foes. 
It seemed to me, they e'en more frowning rose. 

Grown weary of the siege's dull advance, 
Its slow approach and its inglorious chance, 
The time seemed all too long, which wore away 
The tedium of a dull and weary life ; 
And, oh, how gladly would we hail the day 
Whose dawn should welcome in the scene of strife. 



44 REUNIDO. 

At last it came. Responsive to the call 
To storm the town, and raze each guarded wall, 
"VYe marched to battle, with the rallying cry 
Of '' God and Right," invoking aid on high. 

Fierce raged the contest, 'twas the only stand, 
Of Tyranny, within our now loved Freedom's land : 
Still, as we gained each blood-bought foot of 

ground, 
From rank to rank was echoed forth that sound, 
Cheering us on to valor in the fight — 
Oh, loudly rang our watchword, ''God and 

Right,-" 
And as from wall to wall we drove the foe. 
Or deadened their artillery's reddening glow. 
Or made our way through blood and o'er the 

slain, 
Those words were loudly echoed forth again. 
To cheer us on in our prolonged attack, 
With strengthened arm, against this convict pack. 



REUNIDO. 45 

At length, Freedom ! it was thine to know. 
Within this land, thou hadst no more a foe ; 
No tyrant's minions now were lingering near, 
To awe thy country, with unholy fear ; 
But, pleading mercy at the conqueror's hand, 
They'd sought retreat, within their native land. 

As Nature smiles, when, in the genial spring, 
The verdant landscape, filled with fragrant flowers, 
Breathes forth its freshness, to the birds which 

sing 
Their songs of thanks for sunshine and for showers, 
So seemed our country, when there beamed on 

high 
A single star, to light our Texan sky. 

Alas, for me ! the joy around me brought 
A bitter pang, with each returning thought. 
The peace to other bosoms shed, arose 
Within my own, the spectre of my woes; 



46 REUNIDO. 

For though I'd sought Lethe's forgetful shore, 
My sorrows e'en seemed deeper than before, 
And whither I would turn, to mock my own, 
A voice seemed echoing, alone ! alone ! 
For those who once had, 'mid a border 4ife, 
Hallowed the respite of its toil and strife, 
No longer, at affection's calling, came 
To bless the hour, and she, whose very name 
Awaked a thrill, seemed calling from the tomb, 
Or from the noisome dungeon's darkest gloom. 
Revenge me ! oh, revenge me ! thou whose arm 
Should gain new strength, to rescue from all 

harm 
The sharer of thy toil, thy hope, thy joy ! 
Revenge thy wife ! revenge thy murdered boy ! 
Such words seemed calling me by night and 

day. 
'Twas but the murmur of a breaking heart, 
And whither, I would turn myself away, 
Reproachful tones, seemed bidding me depart, 



EEUNIDO. 47 

Seemed calling from this peaceful ease and rest, 
Seemed beck'ning me to seek her in the west. 

Again did freemen rise and take their stand, 
To carry war to their oppressor's land, 
To seek the foe, whose force thej had withstood, 
And write revenge in characters of blood. 

We armed ourselves, a brave and daring few, 
All firm in purpose and with hearts as true 
As magnet, always pointing towards its pole, 
One living principle in every soul. 

Ours was no longer freedom's patriot band, 
Called to assert the rights of our fair land ; 
But, with our hearts all bleeding from the past, 
Who, with regret, had heard the clarion blast 
Of battle, ring its notes of victory, 
Proclaiming Texas, peaceful, happy, free, 
Because an unpaid vengeance yet remained. 
And we beheld those murd'rous hands, still stained 



4:8 KEUNIDO. 

With blood of innocence ; in scenes of strife 
We'd seek the boon, or lose each unprized life. 

It was to me a day of promise, when 
Our banner waved o'er those heroic men: 
To my poor heart, it seemed a heavenly smile 
Would bless the efforts of our troops, the while, 
Until the cherished object of my life. 
My being's aim, the rescue of my wife, 
Had been accomplished, heaven's protecting aid 
Seemed all my own, as I unsheathed my blade, 
Preparing, with our trusty little band, 
To seek the spoiler in his refuge land. 

At Goliad we rested, while there came 
News to our ranks, of war's returning flame ; 
The Mexicans had come from out the west, 
T' enslave the land, by Freedom's day-star blest ; 
But in our breasts the fire which ceased to burn 
When foes had fled, rekindled at return 



REUNIDO. 49 

Of an invading army, and our few, 
Rememb'ring but our country, nobly drew 
Our battle blades, determining to fight, 
To save our homes, and every well prized right. 

In vain, was valor matched against the horde, 
That from their western mountains rudely poured. 
Our little number, vainly strove to stand 
With Spartan strength, against the ruthless band, 
That came to pour out war's o'er whelming flood, 
And open fountains gushing forth with blood. 

What miracles of valor were performed 
Against the foe, by whom our walls were stormed ; 
Ranks closed and fell, the space was filled again ; 
They marched to battle over heaps of slain, 
Yet still undaunted was our little band, 
Firm in the fight, and nobly did we stand 
Until the crumbling walls, which girt us round. 
Beneath their charge, were falling to the ground. 



50 EEUNIDO. 

Night closed upon us, ending all the strife, 
The banqueting on blood, of life with life. 
Then, as we drew around our council fire, 
Within our hearts, where erst had been desire, 
Now lived the hope of safety, we prepared 
Escape from death, which now around us stared. 

The tall trees waved their branches overhead, 
Obscuring half the light the moonbeams shed 
Around us, and the cloudy, sombre sky 
Seemed frowning o'er us, and the dismal sigh 
Of void winds through the branches, and the moan 
Of creaking tree tops, echoed back the tone 
Of our sad thoughts, as we pursued our flight. 
Chilled by the winds of that dull, cheerless night. 

The morning came, it was a dreary day, 
Dark clouds o'erspread the sky, the prairies lay 
Before us, with their crisped and faded flowers. 
Looking a sadness, which but mocked at ours. 



REUNIDO. 51 

But why rehearse the tale, for oft the few 
Have fled before the many who pursue. 
And oft, ere Freedom made her place of rest. 
Beneath the starry banners of the West, 
Have toil, and care, and sorrow, led the way. 
In that dark night, which hailed her brighter day. 
But ours, alas ! were sorrows which but told 
Of deeper wrongs, which Time would yet unfold. 

'Twas war's stern chance, and freemen's blood 
now dyed 
Coletta's waters, with a crimson tide. 
'Twas war's stern chance, the walls where once 

we found 
Defence, were now our prison's rudest bound. 

Chained to the ground, Reflection's moments 
came. 
And my parched lips breathed forth one hallowed 
name — 



62 REUNIDO. 

'Twas Myra, and remembrance brought the vow, 
For TvhichI'd pledged my life's whole aim, and now 
In fetters and in darkness, with my breath, 
I raised a prayer, that she might sleep in death. 
My sufferings then, were little to endure, 
Could I but know that she had died as pure, 
That still her soul was stainless and as free 
As when she pledged her heart to heaven and me. 

The night had passed in stillness of despair, 
The morning's dawn was tranquil and as fair 
As when she lends her bright and radiant smile, 
To glad the beauty of some sea-girt isle. 

Awaking from the reverie, my gaze 
Was turned upon its calm and genial rays, 
Then looking with the searching eye of thought. 
Revenge and bitterness returned unsought, 
And threw around my spirit's aching sight, 
The mantle of a dark and dismal night. 



REUNIDO. 53 

I heard the clanking of a prisoner's chain 
As it was stricken off, and he again 
Was free of limb. I looked upon his brow; 
Again, upon his front was written now, 
Sweet hope and joy. He whispered as he passed 
The place where I was chained, "I'm free at 

last !" 
But as I looked upon the guard, I read 
In his fierce smile, some hidden cause for dread. 
Anon there passed me, with a noiseless tread, 
My now unfettered friends. Their eyes now 

shone 
The light of joy, unlike the glance my own 
Could ere reply ; to mine, the silent grief 
Which preyed upon my heart, without relief. 
Had brought a look of sadness, like the bloom 
Of fairest flowers upon affection's tomb. 

Companions in my sorrow, they to be. 
It seemed, as in a few short moments, free, 



64: REUNIDO. 

Brought happiness and joy to them, to me 
The sundering of my chains would only brmg 
A hideous visitant, some bitter thing 
To frown on me, where Liberty might smile 
On other men, and bless their lives awhile. 

They passed me by, and I was left again 
To agony of soul, to grief and pain, 
To bitter sorrows, which are wont to dwell. 
Deep, ray less shadows of the dungeon's cell. 

My listening ear caught up the mingled tone 
Which rent the air — a shout, a deep'ning groan — 
A charge with arms, a fast subduing moan — 
And all again was silent as the grave. 
I started up, my heart felt that the brave 
Were ending there the trials they had made 
To free their land : the words, "We are betrayed," 
Were borne upon the air. and I would fain 
Have sundered, in my rage, my clanking chain. 



RETJNIDO. 55 

It was not long — my guard came in to free, 
From fetters and from darkness, even me. 
He led me forth within the light of day ; 
I saw the ground with but one quick survey — ■ 
To think, to act, their prisoner was away. 

As on my course, I quickly passed them by, 
Their mingled voices, and anon the sigh 
Some dying wretch would utter, was the cheer 
Which gave my flight the swiftening wings of 
fear. 

Once 'neath the covert of the wild wood 

shade, 
I set me down within the tangled glade. 
Despair for Texas, that the tyrant's hand 
Would bind the chains, which fettered now our 

land, 
Had made me quit this life, but that one form 
Seemed beck'ning me to rise above the storm. 



66 EEUNIDO. 

When man looks round on life's engulfing sea, 
As 't were from some deserted island's shore. 
With dreading heart, that he himself may be 
Borne downward by its waves, alas ! no more 
To be an actor in the scenes, the strife 
Which make the sum of his existence, life, 
Perchance some mem'ry may return to give 
A kind of charm, for which 't were well to live. 

Thus, when above the forests rudely frowned, 
And fear saw foes all stealthily lurking round ; 
When dread and sorrow blended round my way, 
My heart looked forth upon a brighter day ; 
Still hope suppressed lent one sweet charm to life. 
And fancy's picture of my idol wife 
Returned to me to shed its influence bright, 
And make the earth all joyous to my sight. 

That gleam of light was o'er my vision shed ; 
It 'lumed my pathway as from danger sped 



REUNIDO. 57 

My weary feet, as through the dreary wild 
The shade seemed sun, and e'en the forest smiled. 

Lone wanderer, there seemed as yet one joy 
Reserved for me, nnmingled with alloy ; 
'T was bright'ning hope, to paint a genial sky, 
A charm for life, a boon for which to die. 

Bright realms of gladness opened to my sight ; 
My future life seemed fraught with new delight ; 
A cottage home rose once more to my view. 
And circling joys inspiring fancy drew. 
'T was such a dream as sometimes will impart 
A ray of gladness to the breaking heart ; — 
A sunny gleam athwart the angry sky. 
Whose flashing lightnings glance in fierce reply. 
Thus, when the chilling night winds round me blew, 
Returning thought the blissful curtain drew, 
And dreary life appeared once more to me 
As all my own, or ever yet to be. 



58 R E U N I D O . 

The hours seemed long, before a bright'ning 
ray 
Proclaimed the coming of another day. 
E'en then, around, a chill and dizzy waste 
Seemed all before, and 'neath my vision placed. 

Ah ! whither shall I bend my weary feet 
To find the place where friends my coming greet ! 
Surrounding wilds their frown of hatred give, 
Where lurk the foe, where tyrant's minions live. 

Sweet Texan home ! oh, what were it to me, 
This ebbing life, if thou wert only free I 
Thus through my mind transporting raptures 

brought 
Now joy, now grief, now yearning hope unsought. 
One moment, every birdling's cheerful lay 
Seemed fraught with promise of a happier day — 
Another, in the fading, tinted leaf 
I saw an emblem of my preying grief. 



REUNIDO. 59 

Thus roamed my fancy, when my fevered breath 
Grew fainter, fainter — oh ! could this be death ? 
Could this lone waste with mystic people teem, 
Or was my own a wild chaotic dream — 
A dream, which brings uncalled earth's fairest 

flowers. 
To shed their fragrance round our dying hours ? 



CANTO III. 

When I awoke, 't was with a sense of dread, 
That I removed my now empillowed head. 
All round was gloomy, and the light of day 
Scarce struggled in, to chase the shades away. 

Dark shadows flitted through the cheerless 
room, 
As though grim spectres from an opening tomb 
Had come to curse my waking hours with dread, 
Raise terrors, where but thick' ning gloom o'er- 

spread 
Surrounding space. I heard, oh, could it be 
A word in tone of infant melody ? 
Could childhood's voice in lisping music come, 
To bring remembrance of my early home? 



K E U N I D . 61 

I thought 'twere so, with tones of waking joy, 
I called aloud : *' Come hither, thou, my boy !" 

A frightened cry, as of some tiny bird. 
Whose parents' anguished note is faintly heard. 
Was all my answer, it was not reply, 
A deep drawn breath, half shriek, half smothered 

sigh. 
I knew my boy would not have shrunk in fear 
From me, within whose breast his form so dear 
Was ever treasured, and that low breathed sigh 
Called mem'ry back, for I had seen him die. 

I hid my head in anguish, and a moan 
Of woman's sorrow, mingled with my own. 
Commingling griefs had made us each impart, 
Commingling tales of sadness to each heart. 

Our stories told, my waking senses found 

My body prisoned, 'neath the blood-stained ground. 



62 REUNIDO. 

Where friends of Texas, striving to be free, 
Had shown the world a new Thermopylae. 

Had I been left alone, I would have thought 
My sorrows great, but now they seemed as nought : 
Tor I, a withered branch, a leafless vine, 
No blooming flowers, no autumn fruit were mine ; 
But she, within whose breast a nestling young, 
Whose words of terror, scarce its infant tongue 
Could yet repeat, whose baby mind still sought 
To share the anguish of its mother's thought. 
Her life was as a leaflet of a tree, 
Which shades a germ of immortality. 

'Twere well, if as the passing summer shower 
Bends on the stem, refreshing the sweet flower. 
Her sorrows could have passed, but no, the storm 
Had crushed to earth its slender, graceful form. 
And that lone flower which God had placed to 

bloom 
In life's fair garden, sending forth perfume, 



E.EUNIDO. 63 

Though bent to earth, still shed its fragrant breath 
Upon a desert, in the vale of death. 

Man's sorrow, when he walks this earth alone. 
When all for which to grieve, is but his own. 
Is easy stilled within his beating breast — 
A sigh, a tear, his grief- wrung heart's at rest. 
But there's an anguish in a woman's woe, 
So all absorbing, yet so sweet, so low 
The tones which tell the breaking heart's despair; 
'Tis soft breathed music, yet we know that there 
From her life's fount, the bitter waters flow. 

The door turned on its hinges, with a sound 
Which grated on our senses, till the ground 
Seemed opening 'neath our feet. A glimmering ray 
Of taper's light, seemed struggling with the shade 
Which filled the long and vaulted passage way , 
An odor from that deeper dungeon, made 
The light seem shadow, and that struggling spark 
Came faintly in, to show us e'en how dark 



64 REUNIDO. 

Was the cold cavern, and the stony floor, 
How all with jeweled moisture sparkling o'er, 
And the arched roof, glowing with quaint device, 
Tjpic of shining virtue, and of vice 
Which dwell within the heart, the features gleaned 
From Nature's works, marked angel, man or 
fiend. 

And he who came to loose my clanking chain, 
Seemed as if risen from some realm of shade, 
A demon form, to haunt my aching brain 
With thoughts of evil, which should ne'er again 
Return to me. Oh, blessed did mem'ry Me. 

He bade me follow, and a mute farewell 
I sighed for those, who still were left to dwell 
Within their caverned home. The little child 
Clung to my garments, and with wild, 
Heart-piercing anguish, rent the air with cries, 
To which alas, were nought but heaven's replies. 



EEUNIDO. 65 

Is there a God above ? I wonder oft, 
If childhood's plaintive cry can reach aloft. 
And find compassion in a pitying heaven, 
Godj forgive ! Is thy protection given ? 

What depth of sorrow, when it makes us doubt 
God's great design, and deems the lamp gone 

out, 
Which beams on man, in rays of ceaseless love, 
Makes heaven of earth, a heaven of heaven above. 

Those who ne'er drain the bitter cup of life, 
Secure in peaceful ease from all its strife, 
Well may they chide the one who sees his sun 
Of joy go down, his course but half way run. 

The door closed on the dungeon, and the cry 
Of infant grief, now hushing to a sigh. 
Was heard no more. I followed all in gloom 
Through that dark passage, silent as the tomb, 



66 EEUNIDO. 

Save, as the wild wind's sadly echoed moan 
Sought out each crevice, where their hollow 

tone 
Could sing a requiem ; — their whispered song 
Seemed crying up to heaven for every wrong 
Endured by Texas. On that moistened ground 
Our footsteps pressed, yet gave they back no 

sound. 
Our taper, glimmering, flickering, shed a light 
Which made the darkness dismal in our sight. 
Still on we groped, until a grated door, 
With iron fastenings, slowly swung before, 
And oped upon a dark and winding stair, 
Which gave us ingress to the upper air. 

It was a little room, with stony floor, 
High latticed windows, and an iron door ; 
With ceilings arched, and walls all covered o'er 
With frescoed images of saints, whose care 
O'erlooked the convent, and to whom in prayer 



EEUNIDO. 67 

Each knee was bowed when vesper bells were 

rung — 
Each heart was raised, when " Aves " sweet were 

sung. 

He motioned to the window. ' ' There, " said he, 
' ' Behold thy comrades. We have made them free. 
Now gaze upon them, and go tell thy State, 
They fought for freedom, and have met their fate !" 

I looked out on the high- walled court, and there 
Beheld a sight^ which sent the curdled blood 
All cold and chilling to my heart. If e'er 
I wished to die, 't was then my offered prayer, 
That God would take me from the place I stood. 
Revenge was dead, and freedom now no more 
Claimed the devotion I had felt before. 

Heart-sick, I gazed. There, on a blackened pile, 
Lay the companions, who in arms the while 



68 REUNIDO. 

Had fought for Texas. But a few charred bones, 
With flesh all seared, remained. No requiem's 

tones 
In mellow notes were heard ; but o'er the dead, 
The vultures fearless came, and greedy fed. 

With hopeful heart, we gaze upon the face. 
When, in the shroud's white folds, a heavenly grace 
Seems beaming forth, which robs of half its gloom 
The vault's dim shadow, or the silent tomb. 
And when the brow wears vict'ry's choicest wreath. 
We seem to gaze on something more than death — 
A soul transported to some higher sphere, 
To bless the cause his heart has cherished here ; 
But when we know that valor strove in vain 
The patriot's meed, the victor's crown to gain, 
No heaven-born smile proclaims a brighter day ; 
No victor's incense wafts the soul away. 
Death's frightful visage lingers round the clod. 
Denied the covering of a friendly sod. 



EEUNIDO. 69 

I turned away, to meet the leer of hate 
Which on my guide's dark, frowning features 

sate. 
'' Thou well didst look, and now may'st freely go 
To bear this news, that when the sun is low, 
Alamo's shadows rest on the remains 
Of those who fought to free their country's plains. 
Go, bear the news ; 't were well thy land should 

hear 
The fate of those who held her cause so dear." 

'T was thus he said, and, opening wide the door, 
I passed out into the blood-stained court, once 

more 
To seek that freedom which the bitter curse 
Of unobtained desire had rendered worse 
Than e'en the dungeon's darkness, and the clank 
Of those rude chains, from which my spirit shrank 
With undefined, yet lingering sense of dread. 
Which had the rayless atmosphere o'erspread, 



TO KEUNIDO. 

And peopled, -with ten thousand forms, the space 
My chain forbade my grasping hand to trace. 

Such was my freedom ; 't was a blessing 
fraught 
With deepest sorrow, and the bitter thought 
Of joys departed, and a life whose light ^ 

Seemed dimmed forever to the spirit's sight. 

Whither I bent my way I scarcely knew, 
So that Alamo's walls no longer threw 
Their darkness round my way. The leafy wood 
Seemed welcoming me to seek its shady bowers, 
All full of promise from a life renewed 
By Nature's hand — all beauteously bestrewed 
With budding sweets, and fair and fragrant 
flowers. 

But why, thought I, had I been left to find 
Companionship in freedom, why resigned 



REUNIDO. 71 

From chains and darkness, in the cause of right 
To raise my voice, or mingle in the fight ? 
My heart gave answer from its boding core. 
My bleeding country, now, perhaps, no more 
Could need my arm ; e'en cruelty disdains 
Sometimes, to dye its hands in crimson stains, 
And thus perchance, I had been left to seek 
A freedom, 'mid the bondage of the weak. 

There is in solitude, when nought is seen 
But Nature, clothed in dress of living green, 
A joy which brings uncalled into the mind 
The spirit of content, to which resigned, 
We see in life, the beautiful to love, 
We see in hope, the beautiful above. 
But in the solitude whence man has fled. 
No happy thought around your dream is shed. 
There is an utter loneliness, which clings 
Around your heart, and all uncalled for brings 
Dark, visionary images to dwell, 



72 KEUNIDO. 

And people those deserted rooms with forms, 
Whose tales of wonder, to the senses tell 
Of deep'ning sorrow, and of raging storms 
Which wring the heart. A shutter's moaning 

creak 
Seems like a groan of pain, a bitter shriek 
Of anguish, while, a shade athwart the floor, 
Recalls the senses, and we see the more 
Those fancied images, which leave their trace 
On the lone mansion, the deserted place. 
Oh, there's a dreariness within the spot 
Which man has left — his form may be forgot, 
Yet still his image lingers round the door, 
Recalling to your senses evermore 
Some thought of bitterness, unknown before. 

In my sad way, at every step, the sight 
Of desolation came, as if a blight 
Was resting on our land ; all lone and still 
Each woodman's cottaore stood ; no more a thrill 



K E U K I D O . 73 

Went coursing through each vein, no more the 

sword 
Was raised on high, when martial notes were 

heard. 

The doors were open, and the wild birds came. 
And built their nests, and flew around, as tame 
As if to give desertion e'en the cheer. 
Their songs could warble for a place so drear. 

Those were our darkest days, e'en hope had fled 

From every bosom, and abroad was shed 

The curse of tyranny upon our land. 

E'en valor, yet unable to withstand 

The invader's army, left our homes a prey 

To every feeling, which could lead away 

True hearts from freedom, for in bitter tears, 

Or in reproachful murm'rings, or in fears, 

The wives and daughters of those men, who fought 

To save their country, now a refuge sought 



^4 KEUNIDO. 

Beneath the flag, whose constellation's light, 
Gives peace and freedom from oppression's night. 

I hasted on to join the little band. 
Whose ranks were marshalling to make a stand, 
Determined, that if blood could yet atone 
To save our country, I would shed my own. 
But 'twas not mine, again to pledge my life 
For her loved cause, upon the field of strife. 

When I arrived, the San Jacinto's flood, 
Poured to the sea, a crimson stream of blood. 
I saw the lone starred banner proudly wave 
Above the field, where fought the true and brave. 
And heard the shout for '' Texas, God and Right," 
Which hailed again fair freedom's glorious light. 

Oh, was there e'er one moment, when each 
thought, 
All pure and holy, to kind heaven unsought 



RE UN ID O. 75 

Arose, 'twas then, for the invader's power, 
All proudly great, had fallen in that hour, 
And the commander who had written laws 
In freemen's blood, was now a captive brought, 
Asking that Vengeance' upraised hand should 

pause. 
And Mercy linger but to guide each thought. 

Our shouts of joy were echoed through the 
ranks. 
Then gave our hearts a prayerful meed of thanks 
To Heaven on high, whose all-protecting care 
Had saved our country, when, in deep despair, 
Her little army made their latest stand, 
To fight for freedom, and their own loved land. 

That country! oh, what joy was ours, again 
To kneel in worship at the blood-dyed fane 
Of liberty ! what happiness, to dwell 
Beneath the star whose light we loved so well ! 



76 KEUNIDO. 

Oh, ne'er was there, within the beauteous "West, 
A soul enchained, whose yearning hopes could 

rest, 
Until kind Heaven, in answer to his prayer, 
Had made his land as free as it was fair. 



CANTO IV. 

There always dwells within the prison's bound 
A something half enchanting, when we 've found 
The heart grow faint e'en at the loud applause, 
"Which marked the triumph of our cherished cause« 

When treachery placed me once again to dwell 
Within the dungeon's deepest, darkest cell, 
My mind was tranquil, and I e'en forgot 
To curse the hardness of my fated lot ; — 
Fated, for when upon a mission bound 
To Montezuma's capital, I found 
A dreary home within a frowning tower — 
My cell at noonday as the twilight hour. 

E'en though I had no place to rest my head, 

Nor straw, nor pallet, but a stony bed — 

'7* 



Y8 REUNIDO. 

Though light and air but faintly struggled through 
The little window, and the dank air grew 
Half suffocating, as my thoughts would dwell 
On the drear picture of my lonely cell — 
I scarcely cared what was to be my fate. 
'Twere all the same, though lowly or though great — 
Though bound in prison, or though slave, though 

free — 
The die was cast ; 't were all the same to me ! 

I looked out of the window — 't was a sight 
To wake my mind to an entranced delight. 
The fairest flowers breathed forth their sweet 

perfume, 
As though to gladden with their fragrant bloom 
The outer scene, and make the prison's gloom 
E'en doubly dark. A little lake was there, 
Embowered in roses, which o'erhung its bound. 
It was so bright, so silvery, and so fair, 
I looked and listened as it caught the sound 



REUNIDO. T9 

Of wild birds' note, and to the warbled strain, 
Which sang of freedom, it returned again. 
And, oh ! there was a wild, wild melody. 
Which told of gladness, and which seemed to 

float 
Upon the tranquil air in strains so free, 
I almost caught the rapture of each note. 
But, oh ! the waters as they seemed to sleep 
Among those flowers, so quiet and so deep, 
Bore me a lesson — with a gladsome sound. 
They sought their freedom, and o'erleapt their 

bound ! 
They seemed to mock me with their joyous 

call. 
That laughing music of the waterfall. 
It seemed as if, in unison, they sang 
With Nature's other warblers, as they sprang 
From out the thralldom of their prison bound— 
A flowery dell, which shed its fragrance round 
Into the wild, uncertain, dark abyss, 



80 REUNIDO. 

Whose circling eddies and whose forest shade 
Scarce seemed inviting, when compared to this 
Abode of flowers. And still they sought the 

glade, 
With music's voice, and, with a bound, to me 
It seemed to say, '' I 'm happj, now I 'm free !" 

Above, around, dark frowning cliffs arose, 
And spread their shadows o'er the vale below — 

These looking joyless down, and those 
All bright and hopeful in their eddying flow. 

The day passed by, and when at last the night 
Obscured my vision, and my aching sight 
Looked out upon the cheerless moonbeams' play. 
As on the trees they cast each feeble ray. 
And, turning to the dreary dungeon, sought 
The shadowy forms, with which exploring thought 
Had peopled all its space — but, ah, alone ! — 
No form was there, companion for my own. 



JREUNIDO. 81 

Oh ! then there came a loneliness, which crept 
Into my meditations, till I wept. 
It was the o'ercharged spirit's overflow. 
When memory paints, with all the varied glow 
Of youthful fancy, every scene the past 
Can bring as priceless treasures, when at last 
No joy within this ray less living tomb, 
Comes to your heart, to cheer its deepening 
gloom. 

But why proc(5ed ? — •The days all went and 
came, 
To-morrow and to-day were as the same ; 
For they were bounded in that little cell 
By a dim twilight. I could hardly tell 
When morning dawned upon another day, 
Except I heard some birdling's mellow lay, 
Or, from the window, saw the azure sky, 
Which brought me gladness, scarcely thought I 
why. 



82 REUNIDO. 

My jailor daily brought my plate of food — 

'T was not that it was plenteous, even good — 
I hailed his coming — but within his face, 
'T was joy some human sympathy to trace. 

I found a lizard. "Wanting air and light, 
The reptile had become a spotless white. 
We soon were friends. 'T was all I had to love — 
No living thing, not e'en the light above. 
Thus day by day, my little favorite grew. 
To greet my waking, and he even knew 
The name I called him ; how I watched intense 
Each new intelligence, each ray of sense. 

Thus passed my days ; at last I waking heard 
A song unlike the warbling of a bird. 
But still as sweet : my listening ear awoke, 
To catch the melody, which gladly broke 
On the calm air of morning, and which fell 
Upon my senses with enrapturing spell. 



REUNIDO. 83 

I sought the window, still that warbled song 
Was borne upon the morning air along, 
And there, among the fair and fragrant flowers, 
A lovely girl had come to while the hours. 

In wavy ringlets fell her raven hair, 
And her dark eyes seemed turned, as half in care, 
On the clear waters of the placid lake, 
Which seemed some fancied images to wake. 
Like a sweet dream of beauty, which had sought 
To claim the homage of each raptured thought. 

I watched her long, there was a magic power 
In her soft eye to chain me for the hour. 
'Twas girlhood's bloom, 'twas woman's beauty met 
In that one form ; I looked and loved and yet. 
My heart scarce answered, when I questioned why. 
There was a magic lustre in her eye. 
Unlike the one so clear, so mild and blue, 
I saw in memory^ when the heart so true, 



84 R E U N I D O . 

So calm and trusting, seemed to come and dwell 
Beside me, in the dismal dungeon's cell ; 
But still I loved, and when her upturned eye 
Beheld my gaze, I thought I heard a sigh. 

Her look was earnest, and the rising tear 
Which dewed her lashes, made her e'en more dear, 
Than e'en that soft, that sweetly warbled strain, 
Which I had heard, but ne'er might hear again, 
For now she turned and with a mute adieu, 
Was lost to sight, and yet I scarcely knew 
That she had gone, for she remained so bright, 
In pictured image, on my mental sight. 

Oh, how that day, her beauteous form arose 
Before my mind, and when I even chose 
To banish it, still did she softly glide 
To that fair spot upon the water's side. 
And seated there, among the fragrant flowers, 
Beguile the tedium of the weary hours ; 



RE U N IDO. 85 

Thus thought was busy, scarcely did I dare 
To hope again to breathe the fragrant air, 
Which fanned her brow, and played amid her hair. 

My poor companion, senseless but to love 
Which I had taught it, came and vainly strove 
To wake me from my mood of thoughtfulness, 
And gain once more th' accustomed soft caress, 
With which I'd welcomed it, my hours to bless. 
But that fair vision of the morn had sought 
My raptured fancy, and enchained each thought. 

How oft that day, while gazing out, I drew 
Fair fancy pictures, in the Heaven's own blue ; 
And when, at last, the darkness had o'erspread 
The flower clad earth, and on my stony bed 
I sought forgetfulness, I thought or dreamed 
That she was there, and as an angel seemed 
To guard my slumbers ; but the morning came. 
And brought a day, as yesterday, the same. 



86 REUNIDO. 

Half tranced in hope, half trembling in despair, 
I watched the place, that I had seen the fair, 
The beautiful, but yesterday, when lo ! 
With a soft tread, so gliding and so slow. 
That scarce I heard her, scarcely saw her, when 
Her presence decked the fairy scene again. 

Her soft black eyes with dimming moisture 
turned, 
To where, but yesterday her gaze had learned 
To seek my presence, and her tear and smile 
Uniting, told of sympathy the while. 

She came up to the window and her tone 
Of kind compassion, all before unknown, 
Whispered so softly, sweetly seemed to give 
The thought. An object breathed for which to live. 

Soon came an interchange of heart with heart, 
A mingling soul with soul, when we impart 



REUNIDO. 87 

Our joys and griefs, as in communion rest 
For sympathy within each other's breast. 

She was a creature in whose smile the light 
Of gayety was sparkling, all so bright : 
'Twas tenderness, 'twas joy, 'twas sorrow ming- 
ling there ; 
With every pang, with every deep'ning care 
Which filled my heart, her nature had its share. 

Oh, such is woman ! It is hers to feel 
The pangs of sympathy ! When man would 

steel 
His breast against compassion for our woe, 
Her heart is melted with an overflow 
Of those sweet waters, which, like gentle showers. 
Bestrew our path with fragrance and with flowers. 

Such was the sweet Rosalia. Not a sigh 
Escaped my lips, but hers breathed their reply. 



88 REUNIDO. 

As constantly her lonely watch she kept 
Beneath my window, oh, how oft she wept 
When but a deepening shade would cross my 

brow 1 
Such was her faith and sympathy ; for now 
Love's voice was mute, nor breathed our lips a 

vow. 

Weeks deepened into months, and we had 

learned 
A language Love could speak ; for we had 

yearned 
From first we met, to give in words each thought 
The eye expressed, or intuition taught ; 
And now we spoke, but I was firmly bound 
By those deep walls, which girt my prison round. 
And e'en that opening in the dungeon's wall, 
So closely grated, and with bounds so small. 
The little window, through which air and light 
Entered my prison, and the blessed sight 



EEUNIDO. 89 

Was mine of her I loved, I ne'er could clasp 
The hand she reached for Love's endearing grasp. 

We passed our time in that strange sympathy 
Of heart with heart, the pris'ner and the free — 
Misfortune's own, and she who placed by birth, 
To look with joy upon this beauteous earth. 

At length a day, and all abroad in vain 
I watched her coming ; listed for the strain 
Of her sweet music, till 't was e'en a pain 
To hope once more that warbled strain to hear, 
Which never more might charm my listening ear. 

The day seemed long — another came and went. 
On my low couch in thoughtfulness I bent. 
My poor companion sought again to rest 
Within the folds which hid my aching breast. 

When all is joyless, still some living thing 

Will often come and in affection cling 

8* 



90 REUNIDO. 

For sympathy within your heart, and blend 
Some spark of gladness with the love you lend. 

My jailor came, I saw within his eye 
A tear of sorrow, which he did not try 
To hide, but beckoning me, he led the way 
Through a low passage, which no sunbeam's ray 
Had ever entered, to a little cell, 
In which, he said, 't was mine henceforth to dwell. 

He closed the door, and not a struggling 
spark — 
No ray of light, but all around so dark. 
That, but a moment since I 'd seen the light, 
I almost thought that I could feel it night. 

My time passed on, and yet I could not tell 
If it were day or night, for in that cell 
A day, an hour, all seemed to be the same. 
The morn, the night, I knew not when they came, 



REUNIDO. 91 

Nor noted I their passing ; they to me — 
A day, a life ; a life, eternity. 

At length, exhausted, on the stony floor 
I sank, to dream my days of sorrow o'er. 
In those wild visions I beheld one face 
Which smiled on me — a form of matchless grace, 
An eye of beauty, in whose liquid light 
A calm, sweet heaven was beaming to my sight. 

Thus seemed the sweet Rosalia, o'er my sleep — 
My vision saw her kneeling down to weep ; 
And, oh, as if to seal her heavenly vow, 
Her burning kiss I felt upon my brow. 
Pressed her fair hand, and on my heaving breast 
Pillowed her head — her wavy locks caressed ; 
Looked in her eyes, and read whatever there, 
Might waken joy, or soothe me in despair ; 
Heard her sweet voice, and listening whence it came. 
My waking senses heard her call my name. 



92 EEUNIDO. 

'T was real • and clasping in a fond embrace 
Her angel form, and gazing in her face, 
Beheld the love which yet could bind to me 
The fair, the beautiful, the glad, the free. 

Oh, did there e'er one pure affection dwell 
In girlhood's breast, so truly, freely given, 
To shed a joy around the dungeon's cell ? — 
The offered prize, a gift well worthy heaven, 
If for life's woe one moment's joy can give 
A sweet atonement, for which we would live. 
The moment this, the joy was surely mine. 
To press her lips with love's own kiss divine. 

Now she had come to ope my prison door. 
To lead me out into the evening air. 
To offer me sweet freedom's joy once more, 
A blessing which her girlhood's heart might share. 

She led me to the shadow of a tower, 
Whence I could see the fair and rose-clad bower, 



REUNIDO. 93 

Where she had sung that sweet and warbled 

lay, 
Which I had heard, to charm my cares away ; 
Nor long we waited, entering a defile. 
We crept along all silently awhile. 

Down in a dark and lonely gorge there stood, 
Three noble steeds of Andalusian blood. 
In low obeisance, when she gave command, 
Her servant stooping, gently touched her hand. 
He was a menial, who had watched her play. 
And now with bended form, and locks grown 

gray, 
To guard her steps, it was his chiefest pride, 
To follow, where his lovely charge should guide. 

No word was said ; he to the saddle swung 
Her agile form, then to his own he sprung. 
Silent I followed down the narrow way. 
Scarce to be ventured, when the light of day 



94: KEUNIDO. 

Was shining full upon us; one mistread 
We might be plunged in that abyss so dread. 
Upon whose edge our rockj pathway lay ; 
But fear lent wings, we could not now delay. 

We hasted on, and when we reached the vale, 
The morn was shedding forth a light so pale. 
We scarce could see the wood, the stream, the 

mead, 
But looking up, almost as overhead 
The castle turrets, rising into view, 
Painted by sunbeams with a roseate hue. 

Still on we sped ; at length a winding horn, 
Awaked the echoes of the silent morn. 
We shuddered, and Rosalia's dimming eye 
Sought mine in fond assurance, but a sigh 
Escaped my lips, and unrestrained a tear 
Bedewed my lashes, telling of the fear 
Which filled my heart ; 'twas not for me alone. 
For her sweet life was dearer than my own. 



KEUNIDO. 95 

Through that deep vale, our hastening footsteps 
rang, 
But now pursuit with its fast echoing clang, 
Was close upon us ; in our wild, wild flight, 
The gliding river gladdened now the sight. 

The din increased, and looking far behind, 
Rode chief and peon in pursuit so blind, 
That every moment nearer, nearer came 
The rude, fierce band ; and now Rosalia's name 
Above the clattering din was loudly heard : 
We spurred our steeds yet uttered not a word. 

Behind we heard, 'twas death, and death by 
blood ; 
Before, there rushed the angry foaming flood ; 
'Twas but a moment's choice, to live or die, 
We cared not now, nor breathed our lips reply : 
But in the waters, now her form I pressed. 
All helpless, clinging to my aching breast. 



96 REUNIDO. 

The rolling waves all closed around, above ; 
We struggled on, 'twas not for life, but love 
Had joined our hearts, and Heaven had heard the 

vow, 
E'er live apart, we'd die together now. 

'Twas but a moment more of struggling life. 
For that dear angel, now my almost wife. 
We heard the song of every passing wave, 
It seemed the requiem o'er a watery grave, 
The passing spirit's last and sad adieu, 
And Heaven's reward for hearts too fond and 
true. 



CANT V. 

I WOKE in darkness, and a hallowed name, 
Unconscious to my lips in accents came. 
Sweet Mjra, oh, return to me, 'tis thine, 
To shed on me a light almost divine. 

Now many voices with discordant sound, 
Awaked the echoes, and I felt around 
The little darkened room, 'twas my first care, 
To know if I could find Rosalia there. 

Alone, alone, I sought within my breast, 
To see whose image was the most impressed ; 
I pictured Myra, with her eyes so blue, 
Which spoke of all the constancy, I knew 
There dwelt within her heart, and she was fair, 
An angel's form, an angel's features there, , 



98 REUNIDO. 

So calm and pure, my manhood's love still clung 
Around the heart I'd shared while life was 

young. 
As mem'ry pictured her, so true and mild, 
I loved her more, the mother of my child. 

I loved Rosalia, still she seemed to be, 
A sister, child, a kind of myth to me, 
Not wife, oh, no ! my heart once dead to passion's 

flame, 
A sister's love was all that I could name. 

My poor Rosalia ! Had she braved for this 
A father's vengeance, seeking rather death 
Or infamy ? What mockery of bliss — 
A brother's care, nor loving husband's kiss ! 

Oh ! could I e'er, as brother, half repay 
That woman's nobleness of soul, which rose 
Above surroundings, and which changed the day 



REUNIDO. 99 

Of parents' smile for life whose close 
Might be, alas, alas ! who dreams or knows ? 

Oh ! could I meet the gaze of those dark eyes, 
Which sought my own, for love's own mute replies. 
And call her sister ? — her who 'd strove to save 
My worthless life, and that of wife now gave ! 
Or should I pillow on my senseless breast 
The head I once in ecstacy caressed ? — 
My love but as a spectre come to tell 
Of her my youth had loved so fond and well. 

The breast which finds another heart to beat 
In unison with every cherished thought ; 
The eye which looks, the lip which smiles to meet 
Another glance, another smile unsought^ — 
An after love ne'er makes its dwelling there, 
Though smiles may semble, nor the heart can share. 

All had been darkness ; now an opening door 
Disclosed a thousand forms unseen before. 



100 E E U N I D O . 

They were the dusky warriors of the wood, 
Whoj all in awe, before their Priestess stood. 

Her brow was circled with a wampum band, 
From which a veil of zephyr loosely hung ; 
An unstrung bow was in her neither hand, 
While painted arrows from her shoulder swung. 
Her moccasins by busy fingers wrought ; 
Her robe of furs by careful trappers brought ; 
Her features hidden, but her locks were fair — 
A crown of feathers decked her wavy hair. 
I could but think, though closely veiled her face, 
The hand so white, the form of matchless grace, 
Proclaimed its owner of another race. 

They reveled on, with sembling cry of fear. 
With voice of gladness, and with mimic tear. 
Which gives the Indian's prison-dance its cheer. 

The Priestess led me to a cabin door, 
Where lay Rosalia on the leaf-strewn floor. 



RE TIN I DO. 101 

Poor girl ! I gazed upon her pallid brow. 
And saw there death — nor wife nor sister now ! 
Kneeling me down, I placed her head to rest, 
Half consciously, upon my aching breast. 
My o'er charged heart at length gained words to 

say: 
Why, sweet Kosalia, wing thyself away ? 
Why go from me, to break this aching heart ? 
Thy brother loves thee, why wilt thou depart ? 

She moved her lips, as if she would reply- 
Clung closer to me — breathing but a sigh — 
Gazed in my face with looks so full of love — 
Then pointing up, as if to realms above, 
She smiled on me, as if 't were sweet to die. 

So long I held her — how could I resign 
The being I now pictured as divine ? 
But clasping, e'en in death, her form once more, 
I kissed her lips as ne'er, oh ! ne'er, before. 



102 RE UN I DO. 

The Priestess came, and, with a woman's care, 
Unclasped my hands, and smoothed her wavy 

hair — 
Placed her dear corse upon the leaf-strewn floor, 
And sought to calm my aching heart once more. 

O'ercomo with grief, I kneeled me down in 
prayer. 
That God would take me from this world of care, 
Of sorrow, and of grief Rosalia's name, 
In that sad prayer, a blessed sister came ; 
But there was one, for whom my sorrowing life 
Was offered up, to share it with my wife, 
In joy, in sorrow, or in life, in death, 
Thy will he done — but take my wretched breath ; 
Or if 't is thine, kind heaven, to let me live. 
Restore my Myra, and, oh God, forgive ! 

My hand was grasped. The Priestess drawing 
near — 
"Oh, dost thou still thy Myra' s name hold dear? 



EEUNIDO. 103 

And wouldst thou then thy Myra's love recall 
To thy lone heart, thy wife, thy love, thine all ? 
Then look upon her, if thou wouldst restore 
Thy long lost wife, behold her face once more." 
She raised her veil, I gazed into her face, 
Then clasped her form, in one long fond embrace. 

She told her story, how uncurbed by reins, 
Her mustang flew towards his native plains. 
Until the Indians saw her, lonely ride 
With fettered limbs, and hands securely tied. 
They caught the horse ; its rider they begun 
To worship now, the daughter of the sun. 
A lonely captive 'twas her choice to be 
Too high, too grand, too pure a thing to see. 
She veiled her face, and with a magic sway 
Stretched forth her wand, to make the chiefs obey. 

What grief was there, when known so far and 
wide. 
The starlight's chief had come to claim his bride. 



104 R E U N I D O . 

But in the tribe, the daughter of the sun, 
Their awe, their rev'rence, and their love had 

won. 
Though bowed in sorrow, they appeared all gay, 
To welcome in our coming nuptial day. 

We planted flowers upon Rosalia's grave ; 
A drooping willow, marked her humble tomb ; 

This, sadly, with the sighing winds to wave, 
And those, to gladden with their sweet perfume. 

Now, once again, within my cottage home, 
Upon the Colorado's peaceful side. 
My Myra waits, when evening shadows come, 
In hopeful fear, lest evil may betide. 

Once more does playful infancy beguile, 
My weary evenings, with its tear and smile. 
Once more awakes the parent's greatest joy, 
To see the image of his first-born boy, 



REUNIDO. 105 

The same in feature;, and with wavy hair, 
"With eye so blue, with face so bright and fair, 
All tell me of the one, whose grave I made, 
Long years ago, beneath the tree's cool shade. 
And I am happy now. God, to Thee, 
My wife returned, my bleeding country free — 
Oh, may I meekly bow to thy behest, 
Man takes his course, Heaven wills his fate, 'tis 
best. 



FUGITIVE PIECES. 



INSPIRATION. 

'Tis the soul and life of all our being, 

When -we lose ourselves, within the noble thoughts 

Which make us, in ourselves, more than ourselves. 

When the words of angels, and of men, 

In ages past and ages yet to come, 

Speak through our lips, with voice as 't were their 

own. 

And fill our souls with all the fire 

Which waked their muse, and tuned their lyre, 

And kindle there, the latent flame, 

Which in their very bosoms burned, 

As in the trackless way to fame. 

They, on the world's cold scorn have turned. 

And dared to be themselves, as free, free as air. 

'Tis then, within the magic of that hour. 

The warrior's accents, thrill along each vein, 
10 



110 Inspiration. 

With him we see the carnage, hear the cannon's 

roar, 
And live the battle's fiercest fury o'er again. 

Oh ! oh ! my heart, why thus still thy beatings ? 
"Why thus repress the very feelings 
Which strive but to be free ? 
Give me but words, and I'll express 
All that now lives within my very soul, 
That burns within my heart for freedom. 
Let me not measure them by formal mete. 
But let them flow, as free and pure 
As waters from Ambrosia's ceaseless fount. 
Then will my voice speak forth 
The poetry, which was expressionless without, 
And love, and hate, revenge, and trust, and scorn, 
And all life's sweet and bitter things, 
Will then have tongues to speak. 
The inmost depth of thought will then receive 
expression. 



INSPIRATION. Ill 

There's poetry in Nature, in the past and in the 

future, 
And in the acts of every man, who lives a noble 

life, 
There's poetry in man ! 

Who that has not felt, within the heart. 
An inspiration, burning, and striving to awaken 

words. 
Forgetting self, and living in the life that others 

lived, 
When happiness, and sorrow, and all the joy and 

gloom of life 
Had merged into those nobler, better thoughts. 
Which fill and bless the mind, within the enrap- 
tured hour ? 
Who then that has not wished for words 
Untrammelled as the spirits free? 
For in the pent up feelings of the heart, 
That spirit lives with wondrous power ; 



112 INSPIRATION. 

The hopes and joys of other days 

Are there ; we live them o'er again ; 

Nature is placed beneath our gaze. 

And every form is pure, as when 

Earth and its beauties, all had passed 

From out the Maker's bounteous hand, 

And all that's noble in the mind, 

Is doubly pure and doubly free. 

And love, and hope, and joy, may find 

A dwelling in each deathless thought ; 

That spirit, with a voice unheard, 

Give it but words, and, like an uncaged bird, 

'Twill soar to freedom ; that language will express 

The feelings of the soul : 'Tis Inspiration. 



OH GOD, TO THEE! 

Oh God, to Thee 

We raise the heart and bend the knee — 

Protect our glorious liberty ! 

Thy children stand, a noble band. 

To save their own, their native land. 

Let not the traitors' banner wave ; 

Our hearts and homes from Treason save ; 

Protect the true, protect the brave, 

In glorious liberty. 

Oh God, of Thee 

We ask once more, do thou restore 

Our land to peace, as 't was before. 

Oh ! in Thy might, o'errule the fight. 

For Freedom and the cause of right ! 
10* 



114 OH GOD, TO thee! 

And may our land be ever blessed. 
To woo the exile, the oppressed, 
To happy homes, in East or West, 

In glorious liberty. 

Oh God, to Thee, 

With upraised heart and bended knee. 
Bless Thou our land, so great and free ; 
Keep thou our country and our laws, 
One heart, one home, one common cause, 
To be the land where Freedom claims 
The patriot's best and noblest aims, 
All hallowed by the noblest names 

That Freedom ever gave. 

This prayer we raise, oh God, to Thee. 
Keep Thou our glorious country free. 



A PANORAMA. 

The other day, as by my door 

I sat a thinking o'er and o'er, 

The changes that have come of late 

Upon our people, church and state ; 

And as with a prophetic gaze, 

I sought the future's distant maze, 

A visitant, unbidden, caught 

Me in her firm embrace, and Thought, 

Which, ere this, I in Reason's chain 

Had bound; now ofi" in Fancy's train 

Went hither, thither, nor m keeping, 

For Reason's power was with me sleeping. 

As Somnus round her mantle threw, 
I saw, in panoramic view, 



116 A PANORAMA. 

The world pa'sa by me. First the past, 

And then the present came ; at last 

The future slowly glided by. 

I looked with eager, watchful eye, 

When came the dark and dismal night, 

Which ushered in our Freedom's light ; 

For to the view an upraised hand 

Seemed pointing : " 'T is thy native land," 

Was uttered in a voice, to me, 

Prophetic of the time when free, 

Those clouds of darkness should have set, 

And stars in constellation met. 

It was indeed a glorious sight, 

To see her battle for the right, 

To see her nobly do and dare. 

When viewed by Famine's eager stare. 

When want and bitter cares oppressed 

Her soldiery, and food and rest 

And raiment's comforts were denied, 

They bravely did, and dared and died. 



A PANORAMA. 117 

And woman there, with heart as true. 
Around the hearth-stone eager drew 
Her offspring, and with toiling hand 
Taught them to serve their native land ; 
Taught them, but taught them less in word, 
Than in a voice their spirits heard. 
It was the teaching which will live 
In noble acts, which words ne'er give. 
Such were the men and women who, 
With free-born spirit, firm and true. 
Lived in those times when heart and hand 
Both joined to save their native land. 
The arts and joys of social life. 
Succeeded danger, want and strife ; 
Now man was found with hands of toil, 
To cultivate the yielding soil, 
To fell the mighty forest's pride. 
And when the council chambers wide 
Were opened in affairs of state. 
The acts which made our nation great 



118 A PANORAMA. 

Were his, and his the mind which planned 
Supremacy of sea and land. 

And woman, at the social board, 
With ready smile and kindly word, 
Dispensed the comforts of the meal ; 
The music of her spinning-wheel 
Was heard the live-long day ; no more 
Sat Want beside the cottage door. 

The church was simple, but its truth 
A guide for manhood, age and youth, 
Went forth into the world, and came 
To noble men with noble aim. 
The aim, all human weal, the fount 
Which flowed to man on Sinai's mount. 

Our country prospered, and her name 
Was written on the lists of fame ; 
Wealth in her lap its bounties poured, 
With plenty were her garners stored ; 



A PANORAMA. 119 

Peace o'er each cottage sweetly smiled, 
With labor were the hours beguiled ; 
And to the mind was oped a store 
Of ancient and of modern lore. 



My country ! those thy halcyon days. 
Which poets sing with feeble lays, 
When o'er thy broad, extended lands, 
The majesty of working hands 
Was known and felt, when heart and soul 
With single aim sought but the goal, 
Their nation's honor and their own. 
In panoramic view alone, 
Did wealth and station, and the store 
Which blessed our land in days before 
Remain, and now the heart so true, 
And laboring hands, less distingue, 
Are voted. Honor now remains 
A votary in Slavery's chains. 



120 A PANORAMA. 

Honor, no longer in the heart, 
Retains its choicest, noblest part, 
But 't is a thing of gentlest guise, 
Dressed up by fashion in the wise 
Of courts and kings, a thing of station, 
Not born to man, but of creation ; 
Unknown within our glorious state, 
Ere cents or dollars made men great. 
In vain more noble feelings than 
True manhood, as 't is found in man, 
Are sought, and from that height sublime, 
Of manhood in its choicest prime 
They fall. Eternity ne'er planned 
A nobler race for Freedom's land. 
Than those who, at her birth, unfurled 
Her starry banners to the world. 



All now is empty show and ease, 
A cultivated power to please ; 



A PANORAMA. 121 

Now labor^ which might soil the hands. 
Is given o'er to menial bands, 
While ease and indolence and leisure. 
And hours misspent pursuing pleasure, 
Are life's enjoyment, end, and aim, 
And toil is now allied to shame. 

No more the mother's cheerful care 
Spreads on the board their frugal fate ; 
But all her firm resolves now broken. 
And sympathies so sweetly spoken. 
And hours of ennui all bespeak 
*' The spirit's strong, the flesh is weak." 

The church, alas ! no more it stands 
As pure, as when from distant lands, 
Within our wild- woods it began. 
And published forth its truth to man ; 
Truth, such as from a ceaseless fountain, 
Christ preached to man upon the mountain. 



122 A PANORAMA. 

I trembled as the future drew 

Toward me in panoramic view ; 

I 'd seen the past and present day 

Borne slowly from the gaze away, 

Had seen our people in their might, 

Rise boldly to assert their right. 

Those high in station in our growth, 

In pride of indolence and sloth. 

Despise the labor of the hand 

Which made our's Freedom's noblest land 

And now before my dreading gaze 

Were placed our country's future days ; 

I saw these evils as they grew, 

Till bounteous fate the curtain drew. 



Again, before my waking eyes. 
Were summer's sun and balmy skies ; 
As to my gaze a scene so fair 
Was oped, I breathed this prayer : 



A PANORAMA. 123 

Oh ! heaven, return our native land 

The strength of mind, which thought and planned 

Her greatness^ and return the truth 

Of church and state, as in her youth ; 

Return to her those noble men, 

With strength of arm and will, as when, 

In early days, with hearts so true. 

Their blades 'gainst Tyranny they drew ; 

Return those women who could dare 

In toil and strife to take their share ; 

Make thou once more our infant state 

As good and glorious as she's great. 



10 K (!Ui:7\M. 

WlIENOK (11(1 it, conu', or wIiom' iiivoiltioil, 
Is BCaiTO a Hiibjoct lor content ion. 
No (loul)l, tli(^ nation in :ulvaiU'o 
In culiniiry arts, is P'l-aiicc. 
To cook a, jelly ov a. jam, 
Or e'en an oyster or a ham, 
Thoy boat tho Avorld, but no'crtholcss 
Tlie Ivind oi' food lew e'er ciin gucsrt. 
To toll you wliy, 't is plain tlu^ reason, 
'Tia alwuytt iso tirossuil up with season ; 
But to roturn, 1 'vo missod my thonio, 
My rhyming 'b all about ico-croani. 

l<Voni all lh(^ towns of any note, 
Thoro lived a people far reni(»le. 



1 () 10 () i: I) A M . Iti[) 

Thoy Bhunncil tlio city'n rude ccmmiotionB — 

Tlioy Bcarcoly know of city notions. 

Tlu^y plowed the soil and mowed the sod ; 

Content they lived, and worshiped (jjod. 

Sometimes the beaux, with (iach a girl, 

Unused to waltz's giddy whirl, 

Wluiii work was (lone, a Hail would lake 

U[)(>iL the waters of Whit(^ Lakc^ 

('ontontmont blessed this happy [xjoplo, 

E'en though thoir church had not a stooplo. 

But Avhy disturb those rural scenes ? 

What people call " A man of moans," 

Meant horses, oxen, and a cow, 

And health and strength to guide tlie plow. 

These, with a houso and little farm, 

Bestowed their comforts like a charm. 

But not permitted to enjoy 

Their rural scenes without alloy, 

SoHK^ health aji<l |)l(nisuro seekers sought them — 

TlK^ir fasliious and tlu^ir follies bioii^lit tliom. 
11* 



126 ICE CKEAM. 

These people, right from out the city, 

Were wondrous wise, and wondrous witty. 

They knew the fashion for a bonnet, 

Could sing, or play, or write a sonnet — 

Unused to toil, unused to care. 

They 'd tell a tale or make a prayer ; 

And if attention they 'd engage, 

Rehearse the wonders of the stage. 

To gaping listeners they would tell 

How they admired the great Rachel ; 

To listeners, pious by profession. 

They 'd quote '' the meeting of the Session." 

Years came and went, oh what a pity ! 

Bethel would not be like the city. 

The country clowns had learned to dress, 

Could imitate, but ne'ertheless, 

E'en in this mighty age of steam, 

They 'd ne'er partaken of ice-cream. 

So great its wonders, and to think, 

A beverage, both food and drink, 



ICE CREAM. 127 

Like pudding, eaten with a spoon, 
But when 't was swallowed, melted soon, 
And so delicious, that the sense 
Was wrapped in ecstacy, and hence, 
Oh Bethel, was there e'er such pity. 
Your children ne'er had seen the city ? 

'T was thus they talked, and thus they pon- 
dered, 
And what effect 't would have, they wondered, 
If with their crackers, cake, and pie. 
They 'd serve up cream. Fourth of July. 
Oh, how the country folk would stare, 
To see their dainty all so fair ; 
They 'd ope their eyes to view the sight, 
And to imagine their delight 
Ecstatic, when they should partake 
This frozen sweet, like city make. 
So down to Gotham, straight, they sent 
For every extra condiment. 



128 ICE CREAM. 

Strawberry, lemon, and vanilla 

Duly arrived at White Lake villa, 

And gentlemen and ladies fair 

Were busied with each little care. 

Great pains were taken with their blessing — 

They made the cream nor spared the dressing. 

The goodly number that assembled, 

Had tyrants seen, they would have trembled ; 

For, do not deem a man a trifle, 

If he can aim and fire a rifle. 

The ladies, too, were there with faces 

All bright and shining, with the graces 

Which Nature gives, unhelped by art — 

Those are the graces of the heart. 

They sought a beauteous sylvan shade, 

Where ''Freeman's Rights Declared " was read. 

From forms of Freedom, who can doubt, 

Their minds would sometimes wander out, 

And, in the musings of a dream. 

Anticipate the taste of cream ? 



ICE CKEAM. 129 

Imagine, now, a well-spread table, 
That 's sober truth, and not a fable — 
For fruit and jellj, tart and jam. 
And pickled tongue, and well -sliced ham, 
Were there, with pie, and cake, and bread 
Well buttered. Oh, who e'er was fed 
So bounteously, on food delicious, 
Since that good time of loaves and fishes ? 
The cream was there, all nicely frozen. 
And plates and teaspoons by the dozen 
Were waiting to be handed round, 
To city belle and country clown. 
Then rose a statesman in oration : 

Ye people of this Yankee Nation ! 

It was intended, 

By Him who gave 

The good and brave, 

Our nation's precious rignts to save, 

That all should be, 

Both happy, free, 



130 ICE CREAM. 

Blessed by the light of liberty. 

That peace and plenty should be blended. 

What fills our sight 

"With such delightj 

Is mingled with the cause of Right. 

Ohj while fair Freedom's rays may beam, 

And while her banner shows no stain, 

May we remain 

To taste again, 

Another plate of luscious cream ! 
He soon was seated, and applause 
Went up for ice-cream and the cause, 
Which freemen cherish, and the while. 
Each lady looked with blandest smile. 



Kind reader, if you're not too nice, 
An outline of the day '11 suffice, 
So to be brief, just let me say, 
That all the dainties went their way, 



ICE CREAM. 131 

And by the day's declining beam. 
Had disappeared each plate of cream. 

So silent ! what could be the reason ? 
They could not harbor thoughts of treason. 
For years ago, on Fourth July 
Had freemen sworn to live or die, 
Supporting rights that all should cherish, 
To live as freemen or to perish, 
And now their children here had seen 
What blended peace and plenty mean ; 
But somehow, faces were not gay 
As usual, on this glorious day. 
And as they turned their homes to seek, 
They trembled, for their limbs grew weak. 
0, surely, this foretells the comet ! 
Oris't a species of black vomit? 

How all got home, I can not tell, 
Nor even what mishaps befel, 



132 ICE CREAM. 

My Muse looked on, till tired of looking, 
She left them to themselves and puking. 
As clouds on clouds will rise and thicken, 
So did our patriot friends all sicken ; 
From country beau to city belle, 
To life they'd well nigh bid farewell ; 
But owing to the doctor's potion, 
By morn he'd stopped the great commotion, 

Next day, Philanthrophy had reason 
To lend its kindly hand a season ; 
To speak condolingly and tell, 
*' The cream was only made too well." 
The answers were, in looks rebuking, 
Oh, sir, you never saw such puking. 

Now our good friends, in looking back, 
Say nectar-de-lac and ipecac. 
Were in the mixture, and that they 
Will ne'er forget that glorious day. 



ICE CREAM. 133 

Another year has rolled around, 
No patronizing saints are found, 
And on the Fourth of last July, 
I asked a friend the reason, why 
The country rustics, on White Lake, 
Their usual sail were left to take. 
Instead of going to the grove. 
And talking liberty and love. 

Said he, it seems as like a dream — 
We all got sick upon ice cream — 
To yoii, there's no use of evasion, 
Last year, we had a grand occasion. 
But somehow it is wondrous strange, 
Our simple ways, we can not change, 
Nor can we think of going back 
To ice cream mixed with ipecac. - 
12 



OH, GIVE ME BACK MY GIELHOOD 
HOURS ! 

OHj give me back my girlhood hours ! 

When life was bright as summer day ; 
I'd pluck the sweetest, fairest flowers ; 

Once more I'd list the birdling's lay. 
How joyous would I tread again, 

The margin of that peaceful brook ; 
I'd list the gentle, murmuring strain, 

Or on its waters bright I'd look. 

Give me once more, those visions bright, 

When in life's morn serene and fair. 
The future to my gladdened sight. 

Was all so joyous, free from care. 
When all that's pure, that's bright and good. 

Seemed formed for friendship and for me, 
When, as a warbler of the wood, 

I wished myself were always fi:ee. 



A SMILE FOR THEE, A TEAR FOR ME. 135 

Give me my girlhood hopes and fears ! 

Give me the sunshine and the shade ! 
My girlhood smiles, my girlhood tears, 

The girlhood friends with whom I played : 
Oh, give me then, that elfin glen ! 

Let me but wander free as air ; 
Give me my girlhood hours, as when 

The world to me was bright and fair. 



A SMILE FOR THEE, A TEAR FOR ME. 

A SMILE for thee, a tear for me, 

Of mingled joy and sorrow ; 
The light is thine, the shade is mine, 

It may be changed to-morrow. 

Then sigh with me, I'll smile with thee. 

Uniting joy and sadness ; 
Our smiles and tears, with hopes and fears, 

We'll join with grief and gladness. 



MY ABSENT MUSE. 

My muse has gone, the truant maid, 
Lost, strayed or stolen, I'm afraid : 
She was a lovely little child. 
With eyes of beauty, accents mild ; 
She loved to sit in Nature's bowers. 
To cull the sweetest, fairest flowers j 
She was, to me, my brightest treasure, 
She graced my song, with rhyme and measure. 
I thought she'd always be so smiling, 
My life's young hours, the while beguiling ; 
But on this pleasant sunny day, 
I find the truant girl's away. 
When I was in a joyous mood, 
She at my elbow always stood ; 
But when acquiring Latin lore 
She seemed my pity to implore ; 



MY ABSENT MUSE. 137 

My little stool was then her seat, 

To some far corner she'd retreat ; 

Sadly and silent there she sat. 

To list amo, amas, amaf ; 

But little maid, of tender years, 

I counted not her sorrowing tears, 

Nor hours of sadness passing slow, 

While I repeated amabo. 

Now without rhyme and without measure, 

I do regret the girl's displeasure, 

Return to me, sweet maid, once more. 

With joyful song as thou of yore. 

Thy sorrowing tears will cease to flow, 

Polliceor non amabo, 

12^ 



WELCOME TO KOSSUTH. 

Fair land of the Magyar, thy chieftain has come 
To find in Columbia, a reftige and home, 
Whose eagle, more proudly is soaring above. 
And whose stars beam more brightly, in peace 
and in love. 

Though the Austrian tyrant rules over thy plains. 
Thy hero, no longer shall languish in chains, 
America offers a home on her shore 
For Hungary's chieftain, ne'er weep for him more. 

Oh, welcome then, Kossuth, no more shaltthoube 
Enslaved, but shalt dwell in the home of the free, 
While the stars in our banner are shining so bright, 
As our guest, we will welcome thee here with 
delight. 



ADIEU TO SUMMER 139 

Oh, come to Columbia's hospitable shore. 
And taste all the blessings, denied thee before, 
The hearts of her freemen can welcome thee best. 
If thou makest thy home, 'neath the stars of the 
west. 

One tree we have planted, and nourished with care, 
Its foliage bright and its blossoms are fair ; 
Recline 'neath its branches, we offer to thee 
The shade of our beautiful liberty tree ! 



FRAGMENT. 

As each gentle, kindly feeling 
Through thy heart is sweetly stealing, 
So thy sun will shine above thee. 
And the angels too will love thee. 



FLORA'S FEAST. 

BMNa beauteous flowers from hill and dale, 
From meadow land or green- wood shade ; 

Bring flowers that bloom within the vale, 
Or bring them from the tangled glade ; 

Bring flowerets from the hawthorn glen, 
Or bring them from the river's side — 

Those hidden from the gaze of men, 
Or where the waters smoothly glide. 

Oh, bring them Jtvheresoe'er they grow, 
From woody dell or rocky height ; 

From mountain ridge or valley low. 
Bring hither to the gladdened sight ; 

Bring brightest flowerets of the mind ; 
Bring fairest flowerets of the heart ; 



FEAST. 14:1 

Bring hither, wheresoe'er ye find, 
Those flowers a sweet perfume impart. 

Place them within the banquet hall ; 
Cull not in haste, with hand too rude, 

Lest those bright leaves too quickly fall — 
So fair, so beautiful, and good. 

At Flora's feast can Reason find 
The chosen place she 's kindly given 

To those fair flowers of heart ajid mind. 
Which fade on earth, to bloom in heaven. 



VALENTINE TO A LADY. 

I BOWED at thy shrine, 
I worshiped before thee ; 

I thought thou wert mine. 
And sweet gladness came o'er me. 

How happy I 'd be, 
If you would remember 

The time you saw me, 
The last of November. 

And oh ! with what pride 
I 'd hear you confess it, 

That you 'd be my bride ; 
Our union — God bless it ! 



VALENTINE TO A GENTLEMAN. 

This is my portrait. Loved one, see 
If I am not the one for thee. 
.1 'm one possessing every grace 
Of mind and feature, form and face. 
My hair is of a jetty hue ; 
My eyes are of a shining blue ; 
Complexion, marble's clearest white ; 
My hands and feet are very slight. 
I '11 tell, you know, the best of all 
Is, that my person 's very tall ; 
And as you are but short, my love, 
What you are under, I 'm above 
The height that most of people are. 
So I should think we 'd make a pair 
As nearly one as two could be, 
And being one, tall as we should be. 



IM OUR YANKEE NATION. 

Last year was leap-year, I remember, 
But leap-year ended last December. 
As my time is ended for proposing, 
I hope you '11 not be slow in choosing 
Your humble servant, who, as wife, 
Will bless you during all your life. 



OUR YANKEE NATION. 

Our Yankee Nation ! Long may its station 
Be at the head of all creation ! 
O'er land and sea, so great and free, 
While shines our beauteous constellation, 
Long may she live ! long may she give 
A freedom which no other land 
Vouchsafes to man ! Long may she stand 
An honor to her noble station ! 
While freemen all raise heart and hand, 
God bless our homes, and Yankee nation ! 



SERENADE. 

Oh, sweet the dreams that hover o'er thee 

So calmly sweet thy slumber, love ; 
And may the life that 's oped before thee, 
Bring joys that have no number, love. 
Thy days so bright. 
Thy heart so light, 
Oh, may thy joys be without measure ; 
My heart so free, 
I '11 give to thee, 
And place thee here, my brightest treasure. 

Then gently slumber, and thy waking 
To days that have no sadness, love ; 

Thy dreams so bright, the morning breaking 
To bring thee naught but gladness, love. 
Thy days so bright, etc. 



TO A FRIEND. 

Cupid was a little sprite, 
Singing, dancing with delight. 
Making music day and night. 

Armed with bow and feathered dart, 
He, with many a wily art, 
Sported with the guileless heart. 

Thus, sweet Miss, thy flashing eye 
Makes full many a lover sigh. 
Why, ah, why? 

Thou, thy witching glances throw 
At many a once happy beau ; 
Don't deny it, for I know. 

So, my girl, no more so gay 
Bear the heart thou 'st won away ; 
Give back the prize while yet you may. 



TO A FRIEND. 147 

In giving back, what strange commotion ! 
One talks love, and one devotion. 
While thou dost say : ^' 'Tis foolish notion. '^ 

Don't I know ? 



FRAGMENT. 

Tell me not love's spell is broken 
By a word too idly spoken ; 
Tell me not that love will perish 
As a dream we lightly cherish. 
Forms may fade, but love can never. 
E'en though time and place may sever 
Hearts, whose every kindred feeling 
Love iSj all unconscious, stealing. 
The brow may frown, the voice be cold, 
But love can ne'er, oh, ne'er, grow old. 



THE DRUMMER BOY OF SANTA ROSA. 



While owing to the cowardice of their General Schlessinger, his 
associates in arms, being unable to sustain the charge of the Costa 
Eican forces, were obliged to seek safety in flight ; he disdaining to 
follow their example stood alone and unmoved, beating a charge, until 
shot by the enemy. He fell dead upon the ground, in front of the fine 
old hacienda of Santa Kosa. 



Uncared and unmoumedj in the rude stranger 

land, 

Whose freedom his boy heart had cherished, 

Whose angel was o'er him, outstretching her hand, 

. While his drum beat to arms and he perished. 



Oh, thou angel of freedom, look down on his grave, 
And smile on the place of his rest, 

Oh, make it the home of the good and the brave ; 
By the sunlight of liberty blest. 



THE DRUMMER BOY OF SANTA ROSA. 149 

Protecting that land, beam thy smile from above; 

Bless the soil where his head is empillowed ; 
Oh. grant to the few, thy protection and love. 

Bless the cause, which his martyrdom hallowed. 

Oh, smile on the land, where the brave and the free 
Have placed the exotic, we cherish : 

Bestow thy kind care on their liberty tree ; 
Permit not a leaflet to perish. 

Though unwept, where he fell, oh, how sacred 
the sod ! 

There liberty's banner will wave • 
Oh, Freedom, how noble thine offering to God ! 

How hallowed thy martyred boy's grave ! 



INVOCATION: 

AN INDIAN DEATH SCENE. 

Near, near the spirit land, 
Where zephyrs soft and bland, 

Welcome thy coming ; 
There the south winds gently blow; 
There the rippling waters flow ; 
There a voice both sweet and low, 

Calls me hither. 
List its calling, I am bound 
To that better hunting ground, 
There the Red man's joy is found ; 

I will seek it. 
Chasing there the light gazelle, 
Swift as feather from my dart, 
Roving through the flowery dell. 
Where the hunter spirits dwell, 

Gladly thither I'll depart. 



INVOCATION. 151 

There the Eed man will be free, 

Free to guide his light canoe ; 
Spirit, call me unto thee ! 

O'er the waters deep and blue ; 
"We will glide o'er lake, o'er river, 
Tiring, fainting, never ! never ! 

Oh, then, call me unto thee ! 
There, oh ! there, in light and shade, 

In the sunshine, in the shadow ; 
Through the deep and tangled glade ; 

Through the wood and through the meadow, 
There throughout the spirit's day. 

With my feathered dart and bow ; 
I will chase the antlered prey, 

Till my prize, he's lying low. 
Then, an offering at the feet 

Of my loved one, he shall be : 
Forest flower, some fair retreat, 

In the Spirit Land for thee. 



152 FRAGMENT. 

Come, we'll seek it, thine and mine, 
Where the Spirit's smile divine, 
Bids us hither, we'll away 
To the land of light and day. 
Spirit Land, thou'rt bright before us; 
Hear we now the warrior's chorus ; 
Spirit Land, in thee we'll dwell, 
Earthly home, oh, fare- thee -well 1 
Fare-thee-well ! 



FRAGMENT. 

I hope you'll forgive me this little effusion, 
When I tell you my life's a poetic delusion, 
For whenever stern reason is thought of, or said, 
Some nonsensical rhyme, pops right into my head, 
And my wits are forgot, till I know to my cost, 
That rhyme is all nonsense, and reason is lost. 



BLENNERHASSET, ON REVISITING 
HIS ISLAND HOME. 



The island, upon which was situated the home of Blennerhasset, is 
in the Ohio river. It seems fitted by nature as the abode of elegance 
and refinement, and such was it, before the misfortunes in which he 
was involved with Aaron Burr. Then his hearthstone was made deso- 
late, his grounds were uncultivated, and himself was denied the friend- 
ship of those who had partaken his hospitality. 

To visit thee again, thou beauteous isle, 

To sit once more within thy love-lit bower ; 
Wherein did dear ones linger to beguile, 

My thoughts, as gay or saddened was the hour. 
What thrill of joy and sorrow in this breast ; 

How beats my heart as I recall the past; 
What charm has fancy, now the scene is dressed 

In all its loveliness too pure to last. 
I see them round me now, with eyes that beam 

With the pure light of love, and hope and joy. 
Why, why so soon dispel the happy dream ? 

Remorse, oh, why my transient bliss destroy ! 



154 BLANNERHASSET. 

No more, sweet island, dost thou know the tread 

Of those whose wont it was, my hopes to share; 
While I to infamy and sorrow wed, 

And echo asks my heart the question, " whtf e?" 
Ah, where? perhaps upon some distant shore 

They've found a place, a home wherein to dwell; 
Or, are they wanderers on this earth no more 

To live as once, ere hope had said "Farewell?" 
How sad the heart of one, whose heart can feel, 

And know that life to him is joyless, lone ; 
Whose smiles are meant his sorrows to conceal; 

Whose happiness, the shade of days agone. 
AH, all to me is darkness once so fair. 

The loved, the cherished ; why, ah ! why depart ? 
And I be left in sorrow and despair, 

To hide my grief within my own sad heart ? 
Thou to whose mind, temptation is unknown, 

Restrain thy words of censure, as they rise ; 
Leave me to thoughts and sorrows all my own. 

Thy virtue guard, it is thy richest prize. 



A CROWN FOR. SALE. 

A CROWN for sale, a crown for sale ; who '11 buy 

it.? 
It does not fit so well as yet ; who, who would 
like to try it ? 

The one who wears it may not find 

His subjects of a willing mind ; 

But he should feel himself resigned, 

Some pleasant morning to awaken. 

And find his throne and realm all shaken — - 

His head bereft of nature's crown. 

About six inches lower down. 

This crown was once exposed for sale — 
A luring bait, it could not fail 
To make the market in a flurry, 
And bidders rushed all in a hurry. 



156 A CROWN FOR BALE. 

St. James bid first. Its puny scion 
Desired the bauble, just to try on, 
And guard it with the British lion. 
Oh, how humane would be their mission, 
Just with the Emperor' s permission, 
To teach these people from beginning. 
That freedom was their cause of sinning ; 
And now the fact was well worth noting, 
Freedom was but the right of voting. 

Alas ! St. James, who M think that Spain 
Would take these people back again ? 
"Would ever stoop to place the crown 
On heads known only to renown ? 

Who could have thought the Queen had 
chosen 
To give the gewgaw to a cousin ? 

The Emperor, 't is not surprising. 
Foresaw the trouble thus arising, 



A CROWN FOR SALE 157 

And lest there should be cause for blame. 
Put in a third and better claim. 
A Hapsburg surely would be taken 
Whene'er these Mexicans awaken, 
And to support him on the throne, 
Keep foreign soldiers, not their own. 
'T were naught to them to keep and feed 
Ten thousand from their greatest need. 
And then, forsooth, it would be better 
To bind them firmly with each fetter ; 
For, once a throne established there. 
Poor Uncle Sam must have a care ! 
And then so pure the motive too, 
Lombardy doubtless Frenchy grew 
When this Napoleanic trade 
A Mexi-Hapsburgh kingdom made. 

Napoleon, though I am not wise. 
Your acts at present I '11 advise. 



158 A CROWN FOR SALE. 

I think before you 've kinged a nation. 
Be careful of your own proud station. 
There may be the remotest chance 
Eor changing rulers, e'en in France; 
And should you e'er desire to flee 
To some fair land beyond the sea, 
A Hapsburgh might not always bend 
To barefoot royalty as friend ; 
And should your great desire for cotton 
Lead you to seek for gains ill-gotten. 
Old Uncle Sam might close the door. 
And turn you wandering forth once more. 
Of course you ought to recollect, 
With sentiments of deep respect. 
How at his fire you warmed and fed 
When from some kingly ire you fled, 
Without a home in cot or shed. 
But to forget this all, we '11 say : 
You may have wished another day, 



A CROWN FOR SALE 159 

In that fair land, you would enslave, 
To find the third Napoleon's grave. 
To leave your offspring, there to be 
Free men, and of a nation free. 
Another thought ; you think your name 
Will conquer nations, do not blame 
The poet : I have always heard, 
You 'd better catch ere pick the bird. 



FRAGMENT. 

I never was witty, 
Oh, what a great pity ! 
I can't write a ditty. 
Oh, dear I oh, dear ! 



A CHAPTER ON THANKSGIVINa. 

I'm half inclined again to write; 

But darling muse, she's out of sight, 

I'll leave the world to politics and preachers, 

Good morals to the rich, to editors and teachers ; 

Good living to the few, who happen to have 
dinners. 

Long sermons to the church, and congregated 
sinners, 

And while the friends about me unite in a thanks- 
giving, 

I'll write a little chapter on American fast living. 
Some eighty years ago, when this glorious 
Yankee nation, 

Among the powers of earth, began to take its 
station, 



A CHAPTER ON TPI ANKSGI VING. 161 

The fathers of our country, making laws for its 

beginning, 
Arrayed themselves all nicely in their snowy 

homespun linen ; 
Their coats and trowsers too — excuse me for the 

mention — • 
Were spun and wove by women, not ladies of 

pretension, 
The stockings which they wore, were of wives' 

■^ and daughters' knitting, 
'Twas our Continental Congress, at its national 

first sitting. 
The women of our country thought it little cause 

for grieving. 
That they walked the earth in clothing of their 

spinning and their weaving, 
Cosmetics were not needed, they beamed in na- 
ture's beauty, 
Contented in their households, and cheerful in 

their duty. 



162 A CHAPTEK OF THANKSGIVING. 

But why rehearse the chapter, I'll give you just 
a sample. 

That husband's wives, and daughters, may take 
for an example. 

Now time has made its changes, our glorious 
Yankee nation, 

Is every where considered the first in all 
creation. 

Such was our infant country, but memory grows 
shady. 

Her children now go forth as Baron, Lord, or 
Lady. 

Two noble names in nature, the words are man 
and woman. 

Are dropped for gent and lady, as synonyms less 
common. 

We'll pardon them the change, 'tis only of ex- 
pression. 

Because this nineteenth century is noted for pro- 
gression. 



A CHAPTER ON THANKSGIVING 163 

The homespun garb is laid aside, no gentleman 

will wear it ; 
The homespun dress, no more is seen, the lady 

cannot bear it ; 
'Twere well for women of old times, to spend their 

days in knitting, 
The lady of the present, has employment far more 

fitting ; 
To cultivate the mind and taste, the age is sure 

advancing, 
The lady of the present day, learns music, French, 

and dancing. 
'Tis far beneath her dignity to cook her husband's 

dinner, 
Hers is a nobleness of thought, she knows there's 

that within her. 
Which leads to higher things than these, no menial 

cares employ her. 
She gives her children to a nurse, for sure, they 

would annoy her. 



164 A CHAPTER ON THANKSGIVING. 

In costly garb she is arrayed, she goes forth in 

her carriage ; 
Domestic cares, she lays aside, gains station with 

her marriage, 
If less magnificent the style of each minute sur- 
rounding, 
Her social circle's in a buzz, her husband's faults 

resounding. 
'Twere well for men of olden time, with spirit 

of contentment, 
To dress in homespun if they chose, but oh ! with 

what resentment, 
A gent would treat the garment, made from wife's 

or sister's spinning. 
E'en though 'twere given to his hand, with smile 

of love so winning. 
His air is foreign and his coat of Paris tailor's 

making, 
That he's a gentleman of taste, there's no chance 

for mistaking. 



A CHAPTER ON THANKSGIVING. 165 

He now looks forth upon the world of folly and 

pretension, 
And thoughts of greatness fill his mind, 'twould 

take a book to mention. 
One thing was quite forgotten, by our infant 

Yankee nation, 
It was to make a chosen band of noblemen of 

station. 
So now, our modern gentleman, ambition just 

excited, 
Goes forth as Mr. so and so, untitled and un- 

knighted. 
He borrows some one's coat of arms, and starts 

forth as a tourist. 
He visits European towns, but nods at some great 

jurist, 
Or happens at the Queen's levee, which costs him 

little trouble, 
He drops his citizen's attire, and comes forth as 

a noble. 



166 A CHAPTER ON THANKSGIVING. 

Once more at his return, he'll no common notions 

harbor, 
He enters upper-ten-dom, and salaries his 

barber. 
His gait and mien are changed since he went 

across the ocean, 
Though American in name, he's a Duke or Count 

in notion. 
This all were very well, if Fortune could support 

'him, 
She's a fickle minded dame, and will neve^ stoop 

to court him ; 
And now while all our friends bless God for their 

good living, 
Perhaps he lacks a turkey to celebrate thanks- 
giving. 
A word now, in conclusion, if as at our 

beginning. 
Our ladies would be women and do knitting, 

weaving, spinning; 



A OHAPTEE ON THANKSGIVING. 167 

Our gentlemen be men, and not ape the titled 
noble ; 

Our country would be prosperous, her blessings 
would be double, 

Hard times would pass away, and our glorious 
Yankee nation, 

"Would be hailed by every freeman, as the best 
in all creation. 

With contentment's smile around us, and sufficient 
for our living, 

We'd bless our great Creator in a national thanks- 
giving. 



REMEMBRANCE OF THE PAST. 

How thought recalls those joyous hours 
I spent among youth's shady bowers. 
When sorrow came like summer showers. 
And passed away. 

How pure each joy, how light each care, 
How blessed was I to linger there. 
And look upon life's landscape fair. 
In girlhood's morn. 

To gaze enraptured at the sight, 
To see my future all so bright. 
It blessed my heart with fond delight, 
And glad each hour. 



EEMEMBKANCE OF THE PAST. 169 

Illumed was every happy day, 
By hope's own fair and peaceful ray ; 
Thus passed my hours, as bright and gay 
As summer morn. 

Those girlhood days, how soon they passed, 
With joys too bright, too pure to last. 
No clouds were there, to overcast 
The genial sky. 

'Mid summer suns, in beauteous bowers, 
I think the while of other hours. 
When friendship twined its own fair flowers. 
In garlands bright. 

Again the sun of hope and love, 
Shines on me from the realms above, 
As I a child rejoice to rove 

In mem'ry's scenes. 



THE SMILE OF THOSE WE LOVE. 

It beams upon the aching heart, 
A light that 's borrowed from above ; 

Ohj may its radiance ne'er depart ; — 
It is the smile of those we love. 

How oft does thought recall that smile, 
When passed, the rapture or the sadness 

Which thrilled our hearts' own fondest chords, 
To vibrate strains of grief or gladness. 

Reflected back from heart to heart, 
As glows the starlight from the stream, 

We shed its rays on all around, 
The joy or sadness of that beam. 



THE SMILE OF THOSE WE LOVE. lYl 

Then smile again, responses waking 
Harmonious as an angel's strain ; 

Without the light this heart is breaking. 
Oh, beam upon me once again. 

Our life, so fraught with joy or sorrow, 
How mem'rj lingers in the light ; 

How echo thoughts, how echo feelings, 
When beams that smile upon the sight ! 

Oh, then, when dimmed our earthly vision, 
There shines a radiance from above ; 

How sweet, in that fair land, of promise, 
To see the smile of those we love. 



THE POET'S DREAM-LAND. 

It is a land both fair and bright, 
A land of day-dreams and delight — 
A place where peaceful waters flow, 
With music soft, and sweet, and low ; 
Where birdlings sing each tuneful lay, 
To welcome in the peaceful day. 
'T is there, the light of joy and love. 
So genial shining from above. 
Sends all its radiance to adorn 
The dreams of life's own fairest morn. 
There, too, while through your locks they play, 
The zephyrs to you softly say 
Whate'er you list for in their voice. 
To bid you sorrow or rejoice. 
When you are sad, they linger near, 
To whisper you of friendships dear, 



THE poet's dream-land. 173 

To tell of joys and sorrows past, * 

When skies were clear or overcast. 

There, too, are Nature's woodland bowers, 

Adorned by fair and fragrant flowers ; 

'Mong peaceful vales and flower-clad hills, 

Are verdant meads and flowing rills ; 

O'er all this scene a genial sky 

Has blessed the sense, has pleased the eye. 

How calmed be every passion there — 

The mind how free from every care ! 

'T is sweet for us to linger near 

A place the heart must hold so dear. 

Our steps, whene'er we wander there, 

The angels guide with watchful care. 

To where Ambrosia's fountains flow, 

And all above and all below 

Is beauteous as the moonbeam's ray, 

And peaceful as the summer day. 



VISIONS. 

I SIT me down, as poet should 
Endeavoring to court the mood 
Poetic. 

Alas for me ! my Muse has fled 

To fairer home or humbler shed. 

I 'm now alone, without a rhyme ; 

And what to poet could be worse ? 

As I scanned o'er each little verse, 

'T was out of measure, out of time. 

I thought and Avondered ; was there e'er 

Denied to me the poet's share 

Of rhyme, to grace each humble thought ? 

As there I sat, there came unsought 

A visitant to me. 



VISIONS. 1Y5 

Now gentle sleep came there and blessed, 
And bade my weary senses rest. 
An angel led my spirit's sight, 
To gaze enraptured with delight. 
I looked, and opening to my view 
A scene which fair and fairer grew, 
As in the sunset's mellow lay. 
Of that pure, bright, and peaceful day, 
The gentle waters, passing by. 
With rippling song or murm'ring sigh, 
Seemed flowing through this bright Elysian, 
To calm and bless the sleeper's vision. 
Upon the banks fair flowerets grew, 
Of every bright and varied hue. 
And on the streamlet's peaceful breast 
I saw their beauteous shadows rest. 
The sunset shed its roseate rays. 
To claim the while the enraptured gaze. 
It rested on the woody hill — 
On babbling brook or murm'ring rill. 



176 VISIONS. 

It painted river, field and mountain — 
The waters of the peaceful fountain, 
As, in their gliding, eddying flow, 
Sang songs of music soft and low. 
The scene was gladdening to this heart. 
I watched those fairest rajs depart ; 
For now the sunlight, fading, fading, 
All the beauteous landscape shading. 
Clothed the field, the hill and meadow, 
In the deepening, darkening shadow. 

A star shone out upon the scene. 
I gazed upon its beauteous sheen. 
Through clouds it rose, until on high 
It beamed in brightness from the sky. 
The angel taught my spirit's gaze 
To read a nation's gladdest praise — 
To see those myriads from afar 
With eye upturned to freedom's star, 
Eager to gaze upon the light 
Which shone upon the enraptured sight 



VISIONS. 177 

For, with resplendent, beaming rays, 
Shone Freedom's star upon the gaze. 

Oh, how blessed, how sweet the waking, 
From that balmy slumber breaking ! 
When those dreamy shades closed o'er me, 
Scenes of gladness oped before me. 
Columbia, though thy sun should perish, 
There 's a star the free will cherish ; 
'T is the star that 's always guiding ; 
'T is the light thy fate 's deciding. 
Though contention's deepening shadow 
Rests on hill, on vale, on meadow ; 
Though thy sun should set before thee, 
Freedom's star is shining o'er thee ; 
Though the scene be dark and clouded ; 
Though in mists its rays be shrouded — > 
Still it shines, for naught can mar 
The brilliant light of Freedom's star. 



THE SMILE AND TEAR. 

Give me a smile, give me a tear, 

As glides my bark down life's rude ocean ; 
That smile would beam, that tear be shed, 

To still the stormy waves' commotion. 

In smiles and tears, a language sweet. 
The smiles for others' joy and gladness ; 

The tears, oh, may they e'er be shed, 
In sympathy for others' sadness. 

Thus bound with friends in sweet communion, 
In hope, in fear, in joy, and sorrow. 

Our tears of sadness flow to-day, 

While smiles more brightly beam to-morrow. 



THE SMILE AND TEAR. 179 

How sweet to smile or weep together, 
As bright or dark the path before us ; 

As clouds of sorrow lower above, 

Or heaven seems smiling brightly o'er us. 

When lost is all the heart has cherished, 
By sorrow, it were well nigh broken ; 

The smile and tear speak to us then, 
In language, sweeter far than spoken. 

Then, as in life's rude pathway straying, 
If but the smile and tear were given ; 

Our journey on this earth would be, 
A foretaste of the joys of heaven. 

Then give me smiles for others' joys, 

Can I by smiles, their sunshine brighten ; 

And give me tears for others' griefs. 
Can I by tears, their sorrows lighten. 



THE POET'S HOME AND SONG. 

A COTTAGE in the flowery dell, 
A home wherein the heart may dwell, 
A place near where the waters meet, 
Singing their music soft and sweet. 
This the poet's home so fair, 
There, 'mid joy, and there 'mid care, 
Hope will pass life's joyous hours, 
'Mid its sunshine and its showers. 
'Tis ambition's brightest dream, 
There to glide down life's fair stream, 
'Tis the sun of future days, 
Shedding forth its gladdening rays, 
'Tis a hope in visions bright, 
Shining with a genial light, 
'Tis a lonely morning star. 
Beaming hither from afar, 



THE poet's home AND SONG. 181 

Showing to the gladdened vision, 
This bright home, the heart's eljsian. 
Oh, there ! where the waters flow, 
Murmuring in accents low, 
May an angel guide her lay. 
Make it brighter than the day. 
Lead her to sweet music's fountain. 
Pure as waters from the mountain, 
Guide and bless each strain of feeling. 
Lead her where the muses kneeling. 
In the little flowery dell. 
There, oh, let her pure heart dwell. 
May she sing in sweetest measure, 
Bless her song, the poet's treasure. 



THE STAR OF THE WEST. 

How fair, and how beauteons, the star's brilliant 
light, 

Which guides to a home in the West, 
For nations are looking with raptured delight, 

On this day-star of peace and of rest. 

They gazed on its dawning as brightly it rose. 
And shone o'er the homes of the free, 

As it shed" its fair light on the place they had 
chose, 
For the growth of their liberty tree. 

They behold in its zenith, its splendor undimmed. 

Unchanged as it shines from afar, 
A guide from oppression, where'er be its reign. 

Is the light of our beautiful star. 



THE STAB OF THE WEST. 183 

Oh, that star of the West, in its radiance it shines, 

As a smile from the angels above : 
It beams on the altar which freemen have made, 

'Tis the emblem of peace and of love. 

'Tis a day-star of promise, the brightest and best, 
As it shines o'er the land and the sea. 

And nations behold in the beautiful "West, 
The home of the brave and the free. 



THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS. 

I LOVE to remember that green shady vale, i 

Where in childhood I wandered 'mid sunshine and | 

showers ; • i 

j 

'Tis the place that my heart still retains as its j 

dwelling, ] 

My girlhood's bright home in the valley of ] 

flowers. ! 

But childhood has passed, with the dreams that ; 

I cherished ; ! 
That vale brings enchantment no more to my view, 
For all my bright day-dreams have faded, have 

perished, ] 
And lost are the friendships my girlhood's heart 

knew. i 



THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS. 185 

Yet still, in remembrance, how love I to linger, 
To live in the hopes and the joys of the past — 

To paint the fair landscape with '' fancy's bright 
finger," 
And plant those sweet flowerets too beauteous to last. 

Remembrance — I prize it ! Oh, dear to this 
bosom 
The place where I spent all my girlhood's bright 
hours. 
How often I dwell 'mid the scenes where I 
wandered. 
Delighted to view this fair valley of flowers. 

Oh, that valley of flowers ! There my heart 

made its dwelling. 

Though the scenes of this earth have all changed 

to my sight, 

How my mem'ry rejoices to tread through its 

mazes — 

I wander again in the realms of delight. 
16* 



186 THE VALLEY OF FLOWERS. 

Long, long I '11 rejoice as my mem'ry recalls 
me 
The time that I spent in those love-tanged bowers ; 
'Mid the joys of my childhood, the friends 
that I cherished, 
I dwell, as I think of the valley of flowers. 



FORSAKEN. 

As through the lonely forest shade. 
Abstracted now I wander, 

And dream of jojs too pure to fade, 
Or o'er the past I ponder, 

A tone, a word before unheard, 
The forest voices waken. 

It is the music of a bird, 
Forsaken, oh, forsaken ! 

As through the thronged and busy street 
I walk all sad and lonely, 

Uncared, unknown by those I meet. 
While from my sad heart only, 

There comes a tone of days agone, 
Remembrance to awaken — 

Of sorrows that are all my own — 
Forsaken, oh, forsaken ! 



188 FORSAKEN. 

As in the silence of the night, 
All dreamy, sad, and weary, 

I gaze around, with spirit's sight. 
Upon a world so dreary. 

From my poor heart, all joys depart, 
And sorrows deep awaken. 

It is a dream to make me start — 
Forsaken, oh, forsaken ! 



PEACE BE TO THEE, MY NATIVE 
LAND. 

Peace be to thee, my native land ! 
When o'er the graves where sleep thy braves 
The wild flowers sweetly bloom — 
When every hand within the land 
Has built a martyr's tomb — 
Then, every soul from earth set free 
May breathe this blessing : '' Peace to thee." 

Peace be to thee, my native land ! 
When love of gain, no more shall stain 
The hearts of those placed high in station — 
When all our pride, both far and wide. 
Shall be to serve, not rule the nation — 
Oh, then each freeman's prayer shall be, 
My native land : '' Sweet peace to thee." 



190 PEACE BE TO THEE, MY NATIVE LAND. 

Peace be to thee, my native land ! 
When lives once more, from shore to shore, 
The love of freedom in each breast — 
When once again she '11 have her reign. 
In North, in South, in East, in West — 
Oh, then may freemen live to see, 
My native land, sweet peace for thee ! 



TO 



I ASK not thou' It cherish, the love that I bear, 
In this grief stricken bosom for thee, 
'Tis arude mountain flow' ret, nor beauteous nor fair, 
But once thou beheld with a look of delight, 
Its leaflets of beauty, unfolding to sight. 
And thou saidst, '' it is blooming for me." 

Thou prunedst not a branch, and thou smiledst 

as it grew, 
Thou moistenedst its leaves, with affection's sweet 

dew. 
It reached up its tendrils, now blooming and fair, 
Perfumed all thy pathway, thou breathedst in the 

air, 
Thou tiredst of its beauty, its fragrance was shed, 
And so ruthless thou trampledst thy foot on its 

head. 



192 TO . 

Ah, well had it beeiij hadst thou left its perfume, 
To breathe o'er the desert, there lonely to bloom, 
But thou raisedst it once more from the place it 

had lain, 
And the fair little blossom was smiling again. 
Thou nurturedst its growth, and thou watchedst it 

with care. 
Lest its scent should be wasted far out out on the 

air. 
One breath of perfume thou exultinglj drew, 
And thou trampledst it down, 'mid the dust and 

the dew, 
Thou turnedst from the spot with a look of delight, 
From its still fragrant leaves to depart. 
No more the poor flow'ret engages thy sight, 
But it lives in this grief-stricken hearth. 



ON THE DEATH OF 



We met, 'twas my life's sunny morning, 
Our future seemed cloudless and bright, 

Fair rose-colored tints were adorning, 
A sky, marked with azure and light. 

We loved and in holy communion, 

It seemed as if ever to be, 
A heaven of love in our union, 

A paradise beaming for me. 

We parted in darkness and sorrow, 
A cloud dimmed our halo of love ; 

I wished mine were never the morrow, 
So frowning all round and above. 
17 



194 ON THE DEATH OF . 

Thus fondly, •' we'd met, loved and parted/' 

I think I can never forget. 
He was sad, but alas ! broken-hearted, 

I cling to those memories yet. 

And now o'er his grave let me cherish, 
One thought, o'er that sad stricken past, 

Though all my bright visions should perish, 
His love will remain to the last. 

God, fold thy spirit around him 1 

As pure as the angels above. 
That all earthly thralls have unbound him, 

Bear him on, to the regions of love. 



TO . 

When black ejes look love. 

And when blue ones reply, 
How sweet is the language 

Which beams from each eye. 

What tell-tales those glances 
As the black and blue meet ; 

Oh, who could not read there, 
Love's language so sweet. 

Understood, but unspoken, 
That glance, oh, how true ! 

When we speak from each heart 
With those black eyes and blue. 



196 T o 



Oh, canst thou imagine ! 

A sweeter retreat ! 
Than a fair little cot ; 

Where black eyes and blue meet. 

None sweeter, none fairer, 
Than that where thine eyes, 

Speak the language of love, 
And mine glance their replies. 



A RHAPSODY. 

In the shadow of the mountain, 
At the days' declining beam, 
Near a pure and crystal fountain, 

Just beside a rippling stream, 
Was the home I loved in childhood. 
Now the fountain and the wildwood. 
Now the tree, beneath whose shadow 
I have rested ; now the meadow, 

Seems before me, 

Mem'ry swelling, 

Always telling 
Of my sunny childhood's dwelling, 

Round me, o'er me 
Seems a halo, mem'ry's bringing j 
Oh, the birds so gladly singing ! 



198 A RHAPSODY. 

Now I hear them, 

Always near them 

Mem'ry lingers to endear them. 
To the friends who then were round me, 
'Tis enchantment's chain that's bound me; 
'Tis a dream my heart will cherish, 
May the joys I love ne'er perish, 

But their smile, 

All the while 

My lonely hours beguile. 
And when my form is shrouded, 
And the past, is all enclouded. 
May these joys still linger near me. 
May their shadowy forms endear me, 

Never more 

As before 

To pass away. 



THE DEACON. 

Who stands within the old church door, 
Expectorating on the floor, 
Until 't is covered o'er and o'er ? 

The Deacon. 

Who sits a nodding in his pew, 
As if he 'd nothing else to do 
Than grow forgetful, sleep, and chew ? 
The Deacon. 

When church is o'er, who takes jour hand 
With cordial shake, and look so bland. 
Tainting the air, where he may stand ? 
The Deacon. 



200 THE DEACON. 

Who smokes cigars of Spanish make, 
Whene'er a walk he chance to take, 
Ne'er stopping for politeness' sake ? 
The Deacon. 

Who smokes and chews from morn till night, 
Until, to other people's sight. 
Tobacco seems his chief delight ? 

The Deacon. 

Thus Deacons, not to give offence, 

Enjoy this world of sin and sense 

About like other men, and hence 

We think them much the same as others, 
Their worldly, wicked, sinning brothers. 



TO MY MUSE. 

My gentle Muse, return once more, 
And sing those strains thou 'st sung before 
Thou once didst love to sing to me 
Thy simple songs, so wild and free. 
Thou once for me didst tune thy lyre 
To strains all rapture and all fire — 
To songs as happy and as gay 
As girlhood's laugh on gala day ; 
But, gentle muse, thy voice is still — 
No more the rippling of the rill, 
No more the music of the bird, 
Is echoed when thy voice is heard. 
Thou e'en hast hushed the plaintive strain. 
Oh, sing thy music once again — 
But once again to hear thy voice. 
This heart, so sad, oh 't would rejoice. 



202 FOR A gentleman's album 

As wild birds gaily soar and sing, 
To welcome in the genial spring ; 
As evening dew is to the flower ; 
Or as the sunshine or the shower ; 
Or as the leaflet to the tree — 
Such are thy simple songs to me. 
Thy warbled lays, so sweet and dear, 
Oh, sing to my delighted ear — 
The silence round my sad heart break, 
Thy music's voice again awake. 



FOR A GENTLEMAN'S ALBUM 

" Man wants but little here below." 
Thus saith the poet ; 

But I 'm inclined to think, if so, 
Eew people know it — 
Unless it be, to sweeten life, 
Man's wants comprise '' a little " wife. 



DEDICATION OF AN ALBUM. 

'T IS mine to dedicate this page, 
Sacred to Friendship and to Truth I 
Sacred to all those better thoughts, 
When worth, both moral, mental, talent, youth, 
All, all conspire, to -wake the Muse and tune her 
lyre. 

Oh, then, upon these beauteous pages 
May every thought thy sight engages 
Be like Ambrosia's waters bright, 
To 'wake the mind to pure delight — 
May all that's written in thy book 
Be such as thou wouldst love to see. 
A happy task 't were then to bless 
Each page to Friendship and to thee. 



REGATTA. 

Those gems of the ocean, the isles of the sea, 
Amid its rude surges are joined but by thee. 
Then spread thj white pinions, and joyfully glide; 
Though the waves are all foaming, triumphant 

thou 'It ride. 
From the lands of the South, where her vesper 

bells chime. 
To Greenlandic snows in her own ice-bound clime, 
Thou 'st joined them, as sisters, how gladly for 

thee — 
We '11 hail thee, Kegatta, the queen of the sea ! 

With thy wings to the wind, how triumphant 
thou 'It sail. 
Close reefed for the blast, and prepared for the 
gale ! 



REGATTA. 205 

Then onward, sweet bird, on thy mission thou 'It 

go. 
Bear thy treasures afar to the regions of snow, 
Or speed to that clime where the breezes but sigh 
Some message of love, or some whispered reply. 
Speed on in thy mission, where'er it may be — 
We '11 hail thee. Regatta, the queen of the sea ! 

Then go, thou sweet minion, through the water's 

rude strife ; 
Go, battle on bravely, thou emblem of life ! 
The winds may howl round thee, thou 'It ride to 

the gale — 
Eold but thy white pinions, thy strength will not 

fail. 
The isles of the ocean, the continent's shore, 
Will hail thee forever, as ever before — 
All lands shall be sisters, the bond and the free 
Will hail thee, Regatta, the queen of the sea ! 



THE COUNTRY. 

In the fountain, in the meadow, 
In the sunshine, in the shadow, 
In the clear and sparkling rill, 
On the mountain, on the hill, 
Oh, what forms of beauty dwell ! 

When the birds so gaily sing. 
That the woods with gladness ring, 
And the zephyrs soft and dying, 
To the rustling leaves replying, 
Sing with voices mild and low, 
Sing with music's softest flow, 
Oh, how sweet the joyful numbers ! 
Sweet as dreams in childhood's slumbers, 
When the angels linger nigh. 
Listening to each breath or sigh. 

Oh, the country ! 'Tis the country, 
All refreshed by summer showers. 



THE COUNTRY. 207 

Fragrant with the breath of flowers, 

The sweet country, how I love it ! 

With the sunshine bright above it, 

Or the starlight, twinkling, glancing 

Back from waters rippling, dancing. 

Where the zephyrs bland are sporting, 

And the shining dew drops courting 

Little stars to take their rest, 

In each tiny crystal's breast. 

The sweet country ! Flowers are blooming. 

With their balm the air perfuming, 

And the birds sing wild and free. 

Oh, what rapturous songs to me ! 

E'en as joyous is the wildwood, 

As in sunny days of childhood, 

Rivulets gently murmuring sang. 

And the woods with gladness rang, 

And my heart was e'en as free 

As the bird's sweet melody. 

Oh, the country ! How I love it ! 



FOR AN ALBUM. 

Sweet girl, thine Album's page, 

My thoughts awhile engage : 

It is a place, my pen may trace 

The words, I ne'er could say. 

I think of thee, with thought as free 

As zephyr, o'er the deep blue see. 

A girl as happy, sweet and gay 

As birdling's song which greets the day. 

These thoughts have burned for words to speak, 

But heart grew faint and voice grew weak, 

And all was left unsaid. 

If Friendship be but in the name, 
And Love but live in Passion's flame, 
And every noble thought have fled 
From other minds, oh, think of me ! 
As one whose heart knows both for thee, 
Within whose breast, both live and blend. 
Whose voice speaks truth : I love thee, friend. 



ADDIE LEIGH. 

LOVER. 

Sweet Addie Leigh, oh, come with me, 

Fo a fairer land than ours ; 
Some sea-girt isle, where Nature's smile 

Beams forth among the flowers. 

Sweet Addie Leigh, for you and me. 

The sun of love will shine, 
ComO; we will fly, yourself and I 

To a world all yours and mine. 

ADDIE LEIGH 

The light of love shines from above. 

It shines for you and me. 
Oh, why then fly, yourself and I, 

To that island of the sea ? 



210 ADDIE LEIGH. 

LOVER. 

That none may see, dear Addie Leigh, 

One flower of sweet perfume, 
Upon my breast that flower shall rest, 

And there 'twill live and bloom. 

Then come with me, sweet Addie Leigh, 

To that fair, that sunny land, 
Where no sound is heard, but the singing bird, 

And the sigh of the breezes bland. 

ADDIE LEIGH. 

If from its bower, thou'dst pluck the flower, 

Why hide it in thy breast ? 
Let others see, how pure and free, 

How peacefully 'twill rest. 

LO VEK. 

Then, Addie Leigh, for you and me. 

That fair and sea-girt isle. 
Will be a cot, which love leaves not, 

Blessed by sweet Addie' s smile. 



ADIEU TO SUMMER. 211 

That heaven of love, which beams above, 

Will shine for you and me, 
No love on earth of holier birth-, 

Than mine for Addie Leigh. 



ADIEU TO SUMMEH. 

I LOVE thee, sweet summer, I love thee, 
With the beautiful sunshine above thee ; 
Thy flowers, sweetly blooming. 
The woodland perfuming, 
I love thee, sweet summer, I love thee. 

Farewell to thy sunshine and showers, 
Farewell to thy verdure and flowers ; 

The rude winds are sighing, 

Thy verdure is dying, 
Adieu to the fields and the flowers. 



WILLIE. 

Where the pure waters flow. 
Where the bright daisies grow, 
In a voice soft and low, 

Sang our Willie. 

He had eyes clear and bright. 
And his hair wavy light, 
You would look with delight. 
Upon Willie. 

As the winds round him played, 
His fair locks gently strayed. 
And more beauteous, they made 
Gentle Willie. 



WILLIE. 213 

With his cheeks bright and fair, 
And his heart free from care, 
All the bliss did we share 

With our Willie. 

But the winds round him blew, 
And his cheek paler grew. 
Till we wept for him too, 
Little Willie. 

Where the pure waters flow, 
Where the bright daisies grow, 
In the grave cold and low 

Rests our Willie. 



LEGEND OF THE SHAWANGUNK. 

Purer than the placid river 
Where I spent my childhood hours. 

Flowing onward, onward ever, 
'Mong the groves, and 'mong the flowers, 

Is a gentle lakelet, lying 
'Mong the mountains rude and wild. 

Where the zephyrs soft and dying 
Linger with the waters mild ; 

Linger there in tones of gladness 
When the queen of night appears. 

Cheering Nature from her sadness 
When she weeps departed years ; 

Cheering her in hours of sorrow, 
With a mild and gentle voice — 

Whispering of a brighter morrow — 
Bidding her in hope rejoice. 



LEGEND OF THE SHAWANGUNK. 215 

Gentle zephyrs, sweetly telling 
Tales of love and sorrow o'er, 

When the Indian made his dwelling 
Near the water's rock-bound shore, 

Join their voices in the chorus, 
Joyful songs of love they sing, 

All the past appears before us. 
Bright and beauteous as the spring. 

Hear the war-whoop shrill resounding, 
Hear them 'wake the rallying song — 

Rocks and cliffs and woods surrounding. 
All, the noble strain prolong. 

Gentle voices whisper, linger, 
Loved ones cling around each heart — 

Morning, with her rosy finger, 
Bids the warrior brave depart. 

Why, ah maiden, art thou sighing ? 
List the zephyrs, soft and low, 



216 LEGEND OF THE SHAWANGUNK. 

Sing to tliee of love undying — 
List the song they 're singing now ! 



SONG. 

Where the brooklet flows along, 
Where its waters join the song, 
Where the floweret decks the plain, 
Gentle maiden, list again. 

Hear the shout of battle ring — 
Hear the song thy warriors sing — 
Hear the shout of victory now — 
See the foemen lying low ! 

See each warrior's noble plume 
Waving o'er the foeman's tomb. 
Now the chieftain, in his pride, 
Comes to claim his beauteous bride. 



LEGEND OF THE SHAWANGUNK. 217 

Now the strife of battle o'er, 
He will leave her side no more, 
But with her the gentle strain 
Wake in music soft again. 

Loj the shades of death are passing 
O'er that fair and beauteous brow ; 

Grief and joy each other chasing, 
Linger there together now. 

Warrior, Chieftain, why this weeping ? 
Why so sad the parting tear ? 

Sigh not now, thy maid is sleeping 
Gently, calmly, on her bier. 

O'er them evening shades are closing, 
Summer dews are mild and bland — 

In the sleep of death reposing, 
Dwell they in the spirit-land. 



218 LEGEND OF THE SHAWANGFNK. 

When the wind sighs o'er the mountain ; 
When the zephyrs softly sing 

O'er the quiet, crystal fountain ; 
When the balmy breeze of spring 

Waves each little leaflet lightly — 
Then their spirits hover near, 

Whispering, sighing, singing nightly 
Of the scenes to mem'ry dear. 



THE EMIGRANT'S ADDRESS. 

Farewell to thee, Erin ! thou beautiful isle 
Where the hours of my childhood so gailj were 
passed ; 

As I sail on the ocean, I 'm. thinking the while 
Of the hours far too happy, dear Erin, to last. 

In sadness, I seek me a home far away — 
In sadness I leave thee, dear land of my birth — 
Thy shamrock so green, and thy meadows so 

Thou loveliest spot on this beautiful earth. 

But oh for the country my childhood has 
known, 
The hearts of companions so noble and true ! 

I '11 ne'er find a land that 's so dear as my own — 
For a home among strangers, dear Erin, adieu ! 



220 THE emigrant's address. 

The beautiful daisy that covers the plain — 
The place where my fathers so quietly rest — 

I 've bid them adieu, I '11 ne'er see them again — 
I '11 make me a home in the far distant West. 

But oh, when far off, in the land of the free, 
When the star of Columbia shines bright on my 
home, 

I '11 ne'er find a spot that 's so lovely to me — 
In mem'ry I '11 see thee wherever I roam. 

Farewell, then, dear Erin ; 't is sadly I part 
From a home that 's so lovely, from friends that 
I knew ; 

Thou 'rt always receiving this wish of the heart, 
May liberty bless thee ; dear Erin, adieu ! 



ANSWER 

TO A MATRIMONIAL ADVERTISEMENT. 

Perhaps there are others, who'll write their 

replies 
In the language of love, or the breathing of 

sighs, 
Perhaps there are others who'll come to thine 

arms, 
With a head fiill of wit, and a heart full of charms, 
I come with a spirit all light and all free, 
And a heart that's all love, which I offer to thee. 
If you're unengaged and you'll look with an eye 
Of approval on me, you'll please write your 

reply, 

To . 



SECOND LETTER 

IN THE COKUESPONDENCE. 

Here comes a note. What can it be ? 

A business scrap, or love to me ? 

'Tis sealed with wax, 'twere ill you know. 

To wafer lines to friend or foe. 

The superscription, be it noted. 

Is underlined as well as quoted. 

With trembling hand, I break the seal, 

What secrets may its page reveal ? 

I ope the missive, read and hear — 

Can I believe my eyes ? '^ My Dear" — 

"Incognito" ends the address. 

My friend, 'twere well thus to express 

A sentiment of love for her, 

Who chose a stranger to prefer, 



SECOND LETTER. 223 

"In lines of nice poetic diction," 
Which told of truth and not of fiction. 

Your letter, not to speak in praise, 
Was all correct in word and phrase. 
The punctuation was hj rule, 
Such as they teach in days of school, 
'No doubt you're skilled in other arts. 
Perhaps you play the game of hearts ! 

You ask that I should name a place, 
Where you can meet me face to face. 
You speak of pastime in that hour, 
As 'twere to tear a summer flower, 
And scatter to the morning air, 
The tiny leaves, scarce worth a care. 

'' The stranger's veil" can be removed, 
When you with truthfulness have proved 
Your purpose honest, heart sincere, 
Your sentiments to honor dear. 
When such you've done, a charm 'twill lend. 
To love for one, I now call friend. 



224 SECOND LETTER. 

You sir, before my natal day, 
Had heard the birdlings merry lay, 
Had seen the sunshine and the showers, 
The forests, meads, the fields and flowers, 
Erom childhood's morn until your books 
Withheld your gaze from babbling brooks. 
Now, sir, if you should choose to send 
Another line address your friend. 



FOU MY COUSIN'S ALBUM. 

My charming little cousin, 
How I wish I had a" dozen 

Just like you. 
I hope you will not chide me, 
Such cousins were denied me, 

So good and true. 



The relative and friend 
In you together blend, 

I'm half inclined 
To wish I had a store, 
Of just a dozen more, 

All to my mind. 



226 FOR MY cousin's album, 

I'd give them all a share 

Of every joy and care, 

Oh, what a happy dozen ! 

If all were just like you. 

So charming, good and true, 

How blessed the name of cousin ! 



TO MY HUSBAND. 

While lone and sad, sweet absent love. 
Affection lingering, drops a tear, 

My thoughts recall thee from the past, 
And whisper ; Still thou'rt verj dear, 
So very dear. 

When by my side, the shadowy form. 

Which tells of times when thou wert near ; 

I see thee as in days agone, 

And mem'ry says, Thou'rt very dear, 
So very dear. 

When present to my mental sight. 
And thy loved voice I seem to hear ; 

Thy tones of gladness reach my heart, 
And vibrate : Still thou'rt very dear, 
So very dear. 



228 TO MY HUSBAND. 

When in thy smile, as, in the past, 

A heaven of love seems beaming here ; 

An angel's whisper seems to come, 
And tell me : Thou art very dear, 
So very dear. 

A day to me, a life of joy, 

As in the past, thou'lt still appear; 

My heart, my soul, enraptured say. 
Sweet Love : To me thou'rt very dear, 
So very dear. 



MONONGAHELA. 

How calmly bright the sunbeams rest 
Upon thj ever heaving breast, 

Sweet, sweet Monongahela. 
The wild birds come and sing their notes, 
And joyous, on the air, there floats 
A voice of music borne along. 
'Tis nature's gayest, gladdest song ; 

Thine, thine, Monongahela ! 
The trees, their graceful branches wave, 
Or dipping down, their leaflets lave 
"Within thy waters, as they seem 
To hail thee, ever peaceful stream, 

Sweet, sweet Monongahela ! 
The wild flowers bloom so fresh and fair. 
Their fragrance fills the summer air, 



230 MONONGAHELA. 

Their leaflets fall upon the ground, 
They die, without a sigh or sound, 
Their balmy breath is still to be, 
- As all thine own, shed forth for thee. 

Thine, thine, Monongahela! 
For thee does Nature wear a smile. 
Rocks, fields and woods, thy course beguile, 
Thy skies so fair, each sunny beam, 
Rests on thy waves, fair placid stream, 
And thou dost ever, ever flow, 
Within the flowery vale below. 
We love thy scenes, we love, and know 

Thou'rt sweet, Monongahela ! 



NATURE'S TEACHINGS. 

WouLDST thou learn the glorious truths, 

Which God has given to man ? 

Go thou to Nature, in her teachings read 

What she has writ in every flower that blooms ; 

In plant, in shrub, in tree, in creeping vine. 

Read thou the rocks, the hills, the vales, the 

brooks, 
The mountains, torrents, cataracts, and e'en 
Old ocean as she sleeps, laving the feet 
Of the volcanoes, when in angry wrath. 
With waves of crested foam, she swallows up 
Some hapless sail, as if the graceful form 
Were but a shade. Oh, read her teachings then •, 
Read, read and learn. 



Go as a little child, 
List' what she says when with her voiceless words. 
In whispering zephyrs, or in sighing winds, 
In the tornado's howling, moaning shriek. 
In murmuring brook, or in the cataract's roar. 
Or in the constant moan o'er ocean heard, 
List' to those sounds, they are thy teachers ; learn, 
And with thy learning, gain humility. 

In thine own heart, there is a voice, 
Nature has placed it there to be thy guide, 
Follow its dictates, 'tis thy better self. 
Thy sentiments, thy thoughts would all be well, 
If in thy purity of soul thou'dst ask. 
The monitor which dwells within thy breast, 
To guide thy steps, to keep thee in the way, 
Of truth, of virtue and unyielding right. 



GOD BLESS OUR HOMES AND 
NATIVE LAND. 

God bless our homes and native land — 
Our freemen feel this noble prayer 

For bounteous blessings from his hand — 
God bless our homes and land so fair. 

Our infant West, from shore to shore, 

Blooms bright with leaflet of flower and 
tree ; 

For this we love her, but the more 
Because that infant West is free. 

Our nation's blessing all may share; 

May every breeze so soft and bland. 
Bear up the freeman's heart-felt prayer — 

God bless our homes and native land. 



234 GOD BLESS OUK HOMES, ETC. 

Lives there within her bounds so wide, 
One who'll not nobly take his stand, 

And live or die her rights beside, 
A champion of his native land ? 

That native land, to heart so dear, 

The thought's ennobling as 'tis grand; 

May every heart breathe forth this prayer- 
God bless our homes and native land ! 



THE END. 



ris 



¥^ 






.A-^ 



'^^ v-^' 



,0 



o 



cV> .v^o, ^h:." ^^'" xN o-.. 



^. <^^ 






.^^ -^c^ 









oo 



^■^'' 



c,^ 'X. 



i-^ 








c^ 


y 




- , %. 





%..^' 



\ , 


■^"\. 


.A^^' 




'% 










_^ * 


.<^^ 


^o. 




O ■'' / 


'' s ■ 










^' s' 


w,^^'. 


■•^ 
















''■'^^- 


V^^'c 


















oo' 


\^~^ 









1 \ " 




■^ 


\ 




-4> 


%■ 


■X ■ 


„ 


o 




•" 










:-> 








-V ' « ^ ^^ , 

,0 o 






. "%' 






^o 


■i"^- .*. 














V." 










'^r '' 












,./-■' •* 



v^' ^'-sf^^ 



^^°< 



> 






■^c 


'O'* 




.^^-^ 








